By KINGSLEY OMONOBI

LAFIA-Defeated Nasarawa State Governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma, yesterday filed a petition challenging the victory of the governor-elect, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, of CPC in the April 26 gubernatorial poll.

He is praying the elections tribunal to declare him as winner of the lawful votes cast.

Accepting defeat after the results of the election showed Al-Makura clearly won the polls, Doma had given indications that he will not challenge the governor-elect, noting that his defeat at the poll was an act and wish of God.

The petition, which was signed by Doma himself as the first petitioner, has National Legal Adviser of PDP, Chief Olusola Oke, as the second petitioner for the party.

INEC is first respondent, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is second, the Returning Officer, Gubernatorial Election in Nasarawa is third, while Al-Makura is fourth on the list of respondents.

In the petition, which was filed late evening on Tuesday and which is coming 21 days after the election, Doma is also praying the tribunal to declare that Al-Makura did not score the majority of the lawful votes cast.

Among other prayers in the petition received by the tribunal secretary, Mr.  Henry Nyior, the petitioner is asking the court to direct the first respondent to declare the first petitioner as the winner of the lawful votes, and a certificate of return issued him, accordingly.

“Having won the majority of lawful votes cast at the said election and having satisfied other constitutional requirements and he should be returned”, the petition requested in favour of Doma.

Sources in Doma’s camp disclosed that his decision to go to court to challenge Al-Makura’s victory was designed to unsettle the governor-elect while in office.