Lafia — Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, the outgoing governor of Nasarawa State has filed a petition challenging the victory of his main opponent at the April 26 governorship poll, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of the CPC, praying the tribunal to declare him as winner of the lawful votes cast at the polls.

Doma had given an indication that he will not challenge Al-Makura, barely a week ago when he reportedly declared that his defeat at the poll was an act and wish of God. His petition which he filed Tuesday evening, came 21 days after the election date, and is also praying the tribunal to declare that Al-Makura did not score majority of the lawful votes cast.

Also in the petition which was signed by Doma himself, as the first petitioner, and National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Barrister Olusola Oke as the second petitioner, for the party, the INEC is joined as first respondent, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), as second, the Returning Officer, Gubernatorial Election in Nasarawa, is third, while Al-Makura is fourth on the list of respondents.

Sources in Doma's camp told Daily Trust that his decision to go to court to challenge Al-Makura's victory was the outcome of schemes by his handlers that a petition against the governor-elect would unsettle him while in office.

The sources said the outgoing governor's camp fears Al-Makura might succumb to growing pressures on him to probe his predecessor, but with a petition over his head, he might decide otherwise.

CPC legal adviser in the state, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar told Daily Trust that "we heard of the petition. We are waiting to be served. We shall respondent accordingly."