by Nurat Uthman
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi state has secured victory in all 20 local government areas during the local government election held on Saturday, August 17.
The executive chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), Alhaji Ahmed Makama, declared the results on Saturday night at his office.
The chairman-elects are expected to be sworn in on Sunday, August 18.
However, reacting to the outcome of the election, the APC rejected the results, describing it as a blatant robbery of the electorate’s rights and a mockery of democracy.
Speaking at a press conference held at the party’s secretariat on Saturday, the APC legal adviser in the state, Rabiu Garba, criticised the election, alleging it was a political manoeuvre by the PDP-led administration in Bauchi State.
He condemned the election, stating, “As we rightly pointed out, yesterday, BASIEC had no intention of conducting a free, fair, and credible election. What we witnessed today in all 20 Local Government Areas was a deceptive drama and a mockery of innocent voters and politicians.
“The so-called election was marred by numerous irregularities, including inadequate election materials, withheld sensitive materials and result sheets, votes allocated to the PDP, absence of Returning Officers to officially declare results, abandonment of election materials at polling units by fleeing electoral officers, and non-conduct of elections in most polling units across Bauchi State.”
The APC demanded the immediate resignation of Ahmad Makama as chairman of the commission, accusing him of failing to uphold his Oath of Office.
The party also called on BASIEC to cancel the local government elections conducted on 17th August 2024 in Bauchi State, urging the state government to dissolve the current management of the electoral commission and reconstitute a credible team to conduct fresh elections that would be free, fair, credible, and in line with international best practices.
