Opposition parties made notable gains in Bauchi State during Saturday’s local government council elections, despite the state being under the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration of Governor Bala Mohammed.
One of the most significant victories was achieved by Samira Maikano of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), who was elected councillor for Wandi Ward in the Dass Local Government Area. She won with 1,610 votes, defeating her closest rival, Bashir Abdullahi of the PDP, who received 1,352 votes. The All Progressives Congress (APC) garnered 230 votes in the same race. Nasiru Hassan, the Returning Officer at the ward level, announced the results.
In another surprising outcome, Yunusa Muhammed of the African Action Congress (AAC) won the Papa North Councillorship Seat in Darazo Local Government Area. He secured 1,156 votes, defeating Ashiru Muhammad of the PDP with 1,053 votes, and Idris Muhammad of the APC, who received 290 votes. The result was declared by Returning Officer Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who stated that Yunusa Muhammed, having fulfilled the legal requirements and scored the highest votes, was returned elected.
Additionally, in Bogoro Local Government Area, the Labour Party made a significant showing in Lusa Ward, even though it did not field a candidate. The Labour Party received the highest number of votes with 2,200, followed by the PDP with 2,168 votes, and the APC with 275 votes. However, Lucy Yusuf of the PDP, the second runner-up, was declared the winner by Returning Officer Daniel Gambo.
The elections saw 323 candidates from 10 political parties contesting for councillor positions across Bauchi State. Results for the chairmanship elections are still pending and are expected to be announced by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission soon.
