The Bauchi State chapter of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has recorded a sweeping victory in the just-concluded local government elections, clinching all 20 chairmanship seats in what observers described as a show of the party’s dominance at the grassroots level.
The party also secured 319 of the 323 councillorship positions contested across the state, leaving four seats to other political parties.
The results were announced yesterday in the state capital by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) after voting, counting, collation and verification had been completed across the 20 local government areas.
APM recorded its strongest chairmanship performance in Bauchi Local Government Area, where Umar Aliyu polled 125,170 votes to emerge victorious.
Abubakar Dembo followed with 109,999 votes in Toro, while Bappah Mohammed won Alkaleri with 107,482 votes.
Other results showed Ya’u Sade winning Darazo with 67,276 votes and Yusuf Zaki securing Katagum with 65,626 votes.
Ali Babayo emerged victorious in Gamawa with 54,423 votes, while Sama’ila Lere won Tafawa Balewa with 46,625 votes and Habibu Usman secured Warji with 43,066 votes.
In Shira, former Bauchi State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Saleh Jibir, won the chairmanship election with 37,135 votes.
Other APM chairmanship winners included Zakka Magaji in Bogoro with 25,282 votes; Iliya Isah in Dambam with 19,730 votes; Mohammed Jibo in Dass with 35,264 votes; Mohammed Idris M. in Ganjuwa with 24,150 votes; and Mustapha Musa in Giade with 33,864 votes.
Dankawuwa Ya’u won Itas/Gadau with 24,989 votes, while Inuwa Abdullahi secured Jama’are with 36,766 votes. Garba Musa also emerged victorious in Kirfi after polling 24,787 votes.
Salisu Hussaini won Misau with 34,378 votes, Yahuza Adamu Haruna secured Ningi with 29,387 votes, while Mas’ud Aliyu emerged as the winner in Zaki with 19,984 votes.
Despite APM’s dominance in the polls, four other political parties won one councillorship seat each in different wards.
The Social Democratic Party won Dandango Ward in Bauchi LGA, while the National Rescue Movement secured Darazo South Ward.
The Zenith Labour Party won Wandi Ward in Dass LGA, while the Young Progressive Party took Zirami Ward in Giade LGA.
BASIEC Chairman, Hajiya Abubakar, said the commission recognised the declared candidates as duly elected after they met the applicable legal requirements and obtained the highest number of valid votes in their constituencies.
Abubakar said the electoral body conducted the exercise independently and in accordance with the relevant laws governing the polls.
She commended Governor Bala Mohammed for supporting the commission and congratulated residents, elected candidates and other stakeholders on the successful completion of the local government elections.