The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has warned that his political camp will resist any attempt to rig the 2027 general elections, saying the contest must be conducted in an atmosphere of transparency, justice and fairness.
It was gathered that Mohammed was said to have spoken at the Bauchi State Government House during the affirmation of candidates of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) for key elective positions in the state.
The event witnessed the governor reaffirm as the APM senatorial candidate for Bauchi South Senatorial District while the state Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
The Commission also affirmed the candidature of the Commissioner for Water Resources, Nuhu Zaki as candidate for Bauchi Central Senatorial District, and Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau as candidate for Bauchi North Senatorial District.
Speaking to party supporters after the exercise Mohammed said the 2027 elections should be based on issues, performance and the will of the people and not intimidation or electoral manipulation.
The governor said his camp would not underrate any opposition candidate, adding that the campaign would be on the focus of going back to the people with the achievements of his administration.
He urged the Federal Government, Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to be neutral and create a level playing field for all candidates and political parties.
“We will not ask anybody to rig for us, but we will not allow anybody to rig against us,” Mohammed said. If we win we will accept it and if we lose in a free and fair contest we will also accept it. That is democracy.
The governor said the decision to adopt the APM platform was driven by the prevailing political realities and the unresolved differences within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said the APM was a party of the grass root with strong acceptance among the people, especially the rural dwellers.
His decision to run for Senate, he said, was strategic and aimed at pursuing the developmental agenda of his administration beyond his tenure as governor.
Mohammed also commended the security agencies for their efforts at ensuring peace in Bauchi State and other parts of the country.
He particularly commended the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Army for what he termed their contributions to enhanced security.
APM governorship flag bearer, Yakubu Adamu, spoke after his affirmation and thanked party leaders and supporters for what he called a transparent consensus process.
Adamu said if elected the governor in 2027, he would build on the achievements of the Mohammed administration.
His government would focus on economic growth, education, health care, rural development, youth empowerment and infrastructure, he said.
The governorship aspirant also lauded Mohammed for providing, what he called, purposeful leadership in the state over the years, saying the foundation already laid by the administration would be consolidated for the benefit of the people.
