The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged victorious in the Shira Local Government Council chairmanship by-election held in Bauchi State on Saturday amid a boycott by the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Announcing the result on Saturday in Bauchi, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), Ahmed Makama, declared Babangida Abdullahi of the PDP as the winner of the poll.
According to Makama, the PDP candidate secured a total of 47,361 votes, defeating his closest rival, Shafiu Haladu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), who garnered 273 votes, while Yakubu Ayuba of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) polled 141 votes.
“Only three political parties, PDP, YPP, and ADP fielded candidates for this by-election,” Makama stated.
He further explained that the commission acted in line with its constitutional mandate after receiving formal communication about vacancies in the offices of both the chairman and deputy chairman of the local government council.
“We received correspondence informing us that a vacancy exists in the offices of the chairman and deputy chairman in Shira LGC. As a commission, we are duty-bound to conduct an election to fill these vacancies,” Makama said.
The by-election followed the March 3, 2025, removal of former chairman Abdullahi Beli and his deputy Usman Adamu by the Shira Legislative Council over allegations of gross misconduct, financial mismanagement, dereliction of duty, and abuse of office.
However, the APC refused to participate in the election, citing irregularities and a lack of transparency in the electoral process.
“We refused to field a candidate for the by-election because the legal framework is flawed,” said Aliyu Jalla, the APC spokesman in Bauchi State.
“There is no transparency. We will not waste our time on an orchestrated election.”
