The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has rejected the results of the recently concluded Local Government Election, in which the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of all Chairmanship seats across the 20 LGAs.
The APC, expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome, has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), Alhaji Ahmad Makama, and the cancellation of the election. The party described the election as a “clear broad-day robbery of franchise and murder of democracy” orchestrated by the state electoral body.
Speaking at a press conference held at the APC Secretariat in Bauchi, the party’s Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad A. Hassan, condemned the election process, accusing BASIEC of failing to conduct a free, fair, and credible election. He alleged that the exercise was marred by irregularities, including inadequate election materials, absence of returning officers, and the allocation of votes to PDP candidates.
Hassan detailed instances of alleged electoral misconduct, citing that in Toro Local Government Area, election materials were left at the BASIEC office under heavy security, with no election conducted in any polling unit. He also highlighted irregularities in Bauchi and Tafawa Balewa LGAs, where APC candidates reportedly won in some areas but could not be declared winners due to the absence of returning officers.
The APC has vowed to explore all legal avenues to reclaim what it considers its rightful mandate and has demanded the dissolution of the current BASIEC management. The party insists that a new, credible team should be constituted to conduct fresh elections that are free, fair, and in line with international best practices.
