“Go to your Gbuje ward and Tell Them Election Held” — Ex-Deputy Gov Agara Challenges Sen. Gyunka on APC Senatorial Primaries
By Yahaya Idris, Nasarawa
The immediate former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Silas Ali Agara, has thrown a direct challenge to Senator Philip Gyunka, daring him to return to his Gbuje ward in Akwanga local government area and convince the people that a credible All Progressives Congress, APC, Nasarawa North. Senatorial primary election actually took place there.
Agara, who spoke during a live interview on OptionFM, questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process in the area, insisting that residents of Gbuje ward were aware of what transpired during the exercise.
According to him, Senator Gyunka’s claims and complaints following the election could not stand the test of time before the people at the grassroots.
“I want to challenge Sen. Gyunka to go to his ward, Gbuje, and tell them an election took place there. I will sponsor his movement,” Agara declared during the radio programme.
The former deputy governor further dismissed allegations by the senator that strange security operatives were deployed to intimidate voters and political actors during the election.
Reacting to the senator’s concerns about the presence of unfamiliar police officers in the area, Agara said such claims should be directed to the appropriate authorities, particularly the local government leadership responsible for security coordination.
“He said he saw strange police officers in town. He should ask the local government chairman; he is the chief security officer,” Agara stated
The remarks have since generated reactions in political circles across Nasarawa State, especially among supporters of both political figures, as tensions continue to trail the outcome of the election in parts of the state
Observers say Agara’s comments signal deepening divisions within the political landscape, with stakeholders continuing to trade accusations over the conduct of the polls.
While supporters of Senator Gyunka maintain that there were irregularities and undue security presence during the election, loyalists of Agara insist that the process reflected the will of the people and should not be discredited through what they described as “unfounded allegations.”
As political debates intensify, residents and party stakeholders are calling for calm and urging leaders to pursue peaceful and lawful means in addressing post-election grievances.
