Bauchi Governor Mocks Boycotting Opposition After APM Landslide

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has sharply criticized opposition political parties that boycotted the recent local government elections, labeling them "cowards" who were simply afraid of facing defeat. His remarks came as the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) secured a landslide victory, winning all 20 chairmanship seats and 319 of the 323 councillorship positions contested, according to the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC).

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I can see some people are cowards. They have even checked out of the election because they knew they would lose.

Speaking after casting his vote, Governor Mohammed expressed his disappointment with the boycotting parties. "I can see some people are cowards. They have even checked out of the election because they knew they would lose," he stated. He argued that the elections provided a crucial opportunity for parties to gauge their popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections and that avoiding participation meant missing a chance to test their standing with the electorate.

Mohammed stressed that in a democratic system, no party can be imposed without the support of voters. He highlighted the peaceful atmosphere during the elections, appreciating the "spirit of love" evident in the polling areas. The governor reiterated his administration's commitment to democratic governance and ensuring citizens could exercise their constitutional rights.

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The place is very peaceful, and you can see the atmosphere of serenity this morning. We appreciate God for our peace and the spirit of love that is here in this polling area.

He underscored the critical role of local governments in driving grassroots development, noting that most activities directly impacting residents occur at this level. "The local government is where everything is done because the majority of what people live on is in the local government, not in the state capital," Mohammed explained, emphasizing the importance of good governance at the grassroots. He expressed confidence that the elected officials would govern with integrity.

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The local government is where everything is done because the majority of what people live on is in the local government, not in the state capital.