Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has accused opposition political parties that stayed away from Monday’s local government elections of avoiding the exercise because they were afraid of losing.
Mohammed made the allegation after voting alongside his wife, Aisha, at his polling unit in the Dan Kungibar area of Yalwan Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area.
The governor criticised the opposition parties for refusing to participate, arguing that the election provided an opportunity for them to demonstrate their popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said, “I can see some people are cowards. They have even checked out of the election because they knew they would lose.”
According to him, opposition parties should have campaigned and contested the election rather than withdrawing from the process.
“They have not campaigned. If they had listened to my advice, they should have gone ahead to test their popularity,” Mohammed added.
The governor also commended the peaceful conduct of the election, saying the calm atmosphere at his polling unit demonstrated the people’s commitment to democratic participation.
“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 said.
Mohammed said his administration remained committed to democratic governance and the protection of citizens’ constitutional right to vote.
He also emphasised the importance of local government administration, noting that most issues directly affecting residents are handled at the grassroots.
“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,” the governor said.
“That is why we are trying very, very much to ensure good governance in the local government.”
He expressed confidence that the election would produce competent leaders capable of managing the councils effectively.
The governor further said Bauchi had maintained its practice of holding local government elections without skipping electoral cycles, describing the latest exercise as another step towards strengthening democracy at the grassroots.
He praised the calibre of candidates participating in the poll, saying some possessed university and postgraduate qualifications.
Mohammed attributed the growing interest in local government positions to efforts by his administration to strengthen the councils and increase resources available to them.
Meanwhile, a coalition of opposition parties had announced its decision to boycott the election, describing it as a “kangaroo election” allegedly structured to favour the ruling party.
The coalition comprises the African Democratic Congress, African Action Congress, Social Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party.
At a press briefing in Bauchi on Sunday, the National Spokesperson of the ADC, Dr Ladan Salihu, said the parties had agreed to jointly reject the election.
The coalition questioned the legal basis for the poll, arguing that the election was being conducted under the 2008 Bauchi State Electoral Law despite the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.
The parties also criticised the nomination and administrative fees imposed by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission, describing them as excessive and financially burdensome for opposition candidates.
Despite the boycott, Governor Mohammed said the participation of other parties and voters showed that democratic activity remained strong in the state.
