Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi becomes the first incumbent to lose as PDP clinch victory

BAUCHI State's Governor Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has conceded defeat in the just-concluded gubernatorial elections and congratulated former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister Senator Bala Mohammed on his victory.

Along with 28 other states in Nigeria, Bauchi had gone to the polls on March 9 to elect a governor in what was a two-horse race between incumbent Governor Abubakar Mr Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, collation of results was stopped following discrepancies about the elections in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

Initially, Inec had planned to hold supplementary elections on March 15 but later decided that this would no longer be necessary and would count the votes from Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area and add to the total from across the state. Governor Abubakar and the APC had then approached the court asking for a declaration that Inec cannot review what a collation officer had cancelled.

Yesterday, a federal high court in Abuja threw out the APC suit saying it lacked the jurisdiction to rule on the matter and ordered that the collation of results should continue. Subsequently, Inec went ahead to release the results and at around 11pm last night declared Senator Mohammed the winner with 515,113 votes to defeat Governor Abubakar who got 500,625 votes.

Professor Kyari Mohammed, the returning officer, declared Mr Mohamed as the winner, saying he had scored the highest number of votes cast. Mr Mohammed had secured a landslide victory in seven local government areas out of the 20 in the state while Governor Abubakar won in 13 with slimmer margins.

Governor Abubakar has congratulated Senator Mohammed and expressed his satisfaction with the process. He urged the governor-elect to caution his supporters to be law-abiding while celebrating since the period of campaigns is now over.

“I wish to congratulate the governor-elect of Bauchi State Senator Bala Mohammed. I congratulate my brother, Senator Bala on this victory at the polls. I am delighted to note that in spite of the intensity of the campaigns in our dear state, a peaceful election took place without bloodshed.

“Let me, therefore, invite the governor-elect to join me in working out the process of a smooth transition. I sincerely thank the entire people of Bauchi state for their support to my administration and urge them to extend the same to the incoming administration,” Governor Abubakar added.

With this result, Governor Abubakar becomes the first incumbent governor to lose his seat, although in neighbouring Adamawa State, Governor Bindo Jibrilla is facing a tough fight. He is up against Alhaji Umaru Fintiri of the PDP but the conclusion of the process has been delayed due to a court case barring Inec from holding a supplementary poll for now.