Court Upholds Election of Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the election of the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Bala of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the March 18, 2023, governorship election.
But the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Sadique Abubakar rejected the outcome of the election and proceeded to the court to seek redress.
At the Bauchi State Governorship Election Tribunal, Chairman of the three-man panel, P T. Kwahar dismissed the APC candidate’s petition and affirmed Bala as the duly elected governor of Bauchi.
Dissatisfied with the court’s ruling, Abubakar, a former Chief of Staff, filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging the decision of the lower court.
He established his appeal on the grounds that the March 18 poll was marred by irregularities.
Ruling on the matter on Friday, the Appellate Court dismissed the appeal filed by APC’s candidate and affirmed the victory of Mohammed.
Reacting to the judgement, Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau was excited over the Appeal Court verdict.
Jatau, in a statement through his Special Assistant on Media, Muslim Lawal, said that the victory at the court not only affirmed the strength of democracy, but also solidified the commitment of the administration of Bala Mohammed towards the progress, development, and general well-being of the people of the state.
Jatau informed that the victory at the appeal court is a triumph for all the people of the state, as it signified the PDP-led administration’s collective endeavours in advancing good governance, providing quality education, ensuring accessible healthcare, fostering economic growth, and promoting peace and unity.
He quoted the deputy governor as saying that: “I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all the citizens of Bauchi state for their unwavering support and trust in our administration. It is their resilience, determination, and belief in our vision that has brought us to this remarkable milestone today. Their faith in us is what fuels us to tirelessly work towards a brighter and more prosperous future.
“I want to also express my sincere appreciation to the Appeal Court for ensuring a fair and transparent judicial process. The verdict is a testament to the efficacy of our justice system and its commitment to upholding the principles of justice, equity and the rule of law.
“Our victory is a victory for progress, for the downtrodden, and for every citizen who has entrusted their hopes and dreams to our administration.”
The deputy governor assured the people of Bauchi state of the commitment of the PDP-led administration to their welfare and the development of the state, adding that the victory is a fresh impetus to redouble their efforts, remain focused, and continue delivering on their campaign promises.
“On behalf of the entire stakeholders of our administration, I extend my profound gratitude to our Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his tenacity, courage, and resilience.
“His leadership has been pivotal in driving positive change and transforming the landscape of Bauchi state. We are proud to have him at the helm, steering us towards unity, prosperity, and a brighter future for all,” he added.