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  • Is there a solution to Bala Mohammed’s basic education concern?

    Is there a solution to Bala Mohammed’s basic education concern?

    • By, Tega Obukohwo

    The atmosphere was tense on the afternoon of 5, September 2023, as Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State gave his assessment of the basic education sector in Bauchi state.

    The event was the gathering of stakeholders including, the management of the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (Bauchi SUBEB), Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Secretaries and a handful of others.

    “I am highly disappointed with all managers in this sector,” the visibly disturbed governor said as he identified major gaps in school infrastructure, quality control, teacher and school level management.

    “My attention was drawn to some areas where completely SUBEB is not doing anything after spending so many years there and bragging that we have renovated over 5,000 classrooms,” the governor said, his voice raised to show his displeasure with the state of the system.

    “There are mega schools that have been left untouched; they were not even brought forward by the agency for renovation. I think the quality of our work is not something to go home with because I have visited those schools myself, the roofs are licking or blown off.

    “The quality of supervision by SUBEB is appalling, so you have the opportunity to change. I have done my best but, certainly there is no supervision, no quality control, it has been business as usual. I am highly disappointed with all managers in this sector, from my humble self, the SSG that is supervising SUBEB, the Ministry of Education and the LGAs. We have not done well in that sector,” he said.

    Governor Mohammed’s assessment of the basic education landscape in his state is perhaps accurate for most states in Nigeria.

    Even though primary education is officially free and compulsory in Nigeria, about 10.5 million children aged 5-14 years are not in school, according to UNICEF.

    “Only 61 percent of 6-11 year-olds regularly attend primary school and only 35.6 percent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education,” the organisation whose focus is on the growth and development of children says.

    The data is even more grim when viewed from the lens of UNESCO which suggested in September 2022 that about 20 million children are out of school in Nigeria.

    But Nigeria faces an even more troubling issue: Learning poverty. There are indications that a high percentage of children, especially those in the public schools system who are in school but not learning.

    Early this year, UNICEF indicated that 75 percent of children aged seven to 14 years in Nigeria cannot read simple sentences or solve basic maths problems.

    This calls to question the fate of millions of Nigeria’s children who are supposed to be on the path to lifelong learning.

    Several reasons have been adduced for the poor state of learning in public schools including low quality of teachers, poor school management, infrastructure gaps, high teacher attrition, poor funding of schools and the quality of learning materials at the disposal of school administrators.

    Some states in Nigeria have adopted measures to address these gaps. Notably Bayelsa, Edo, Lagos and Kwara have done their bit in putting measures that address both the out-of-school children phenomena and learning poverty.

    For instance, Bayelsa State launched a signature programme, Bayelsa Promoting Reform to Improve and Modernise Education (BayelsaPRIME) aimed at causing drastic improvement in learning outcomes in schools, irrespective of their location.

    On its part, Edo State launched the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) reform programme.

    Bayelsa’s basic education transformation programme is at the core of the issues that ail most of the State Universal Basic Education Boards.

    Other states can learn from Bayelsa and others who have put in measures to stop the basic education sector decline.

    Reports from schools in Bayelsa indicate that teachers in the system are already referring to the reform as “monitoring spirit” because it has put them in check. No longer can teachers claim they are in school while they are in the market because the tech based programme reports teachers who are not in school to basic education managers.

    Additionally, teachers are being monitored using technology as they teach.

    Those who do not complete their classes can be identified and couched to do better.

    But before all of these measures are introduced in schools, each teacher is trained at the BayelsaPRIME Induction training, which is a 10-day training that brings together teachers and head teachers to a specific location where they are inducted in new thinking in basic education.

    Such important topics as the role of technology in the modern classroom, new techniques in pupil motivation, modern methods of classroom management and child protection are taught to teachers ahead of their commencement of BayelsaPRIME introduction in school.

    Afterwards, the teachers continue to receive weekly and in some cases daily support from a new crop of supervisors and school inspection officers.

    Surely, a system that provides real time data on what is happening in schools, improves the way schools and classrooms are managed and strengthens the interaction between schools and their host communities should be domesticated by all Nigerian states.

    Read Also: VIDEO: Bauchi Gov Bala Mohammed announced chairman of PDP Govs forum

    There is clear evidence that the existing quality assurance management system set up by the Universal Basic Education Board should give way for a system that is powered by modern technology and thinking.

    The reform introduced by Governor Douye Diri has been hailed as a step in the right direction by teachers, parents, Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board, the Bayelsa State Ministry of Education and several external stakeholders.

    In Edo as well, there have been accolades for Governor Godwin Obaseki from education sector thought leaders and most notably, the World Bank.

    As the world marks International Literacy Day on 8, September, Governor Bala Mohammed is right in his concerns.

    The situation of basic education cannot continue the way it is currently.

    *An education enthusiast, Tega writes from Lagos.

  • Lagos Speaker urges Edo, Bauchi governors to resolve crisis in legislature

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures Mudashiru Obasa on Sunday urged governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) to immediately resolve the crises that have engulfed the Houses of Assembly in their states.

    Obasa asked for the reversal of the proclamations of the Houses of Assembly in both states as well as the elections of principal officers, adding that illegality should not thrive on the altar of perceived personal ego and interest.

    The speakers’ conference chairman warned strongly that the body would not recognise any Speaker of a state legislature that emerged through fraudulent means or violation of the Constitution and Business Rules of the affected House of Assembly as the organisation cannot condone illegality.

    In a statement, Obasa admonished the governors to adhere to the Constitution as well as the rules of the Houses of Assembly, which stipulate how principal officers should emerge.

    Noting that no society can progress when its stakeholders are at daggers-drawn, Obasa frowned at the Edo State Assembly drama where nine members elected principal officers in a 24-member House in an inauguration that allegedly took place at 9.30pm.

    In Bauchi 11 out of the 31 elected members of the House of Assembly also elected principal officers in what Obasa described as “questionable manner.”

    The crisis in Bauchi has led to the emergence of two speakers in the state as well as issues about litigations.

    He said: “A situation where a minority number in a State House of Assembly takes control of its activities over the majority is condemnable.

    “No lover of democracy in the country should support the charade that happened recently at both Houses of Assembly. If we must make progress, we must work in an atmosphere of peace, love and unity.

    “We must also all call on the governors to do the needful by reversing their actions and acting in accordance with the laws backing up the legislative arms of the affected states.”

    Read Also: APC rejects Edo, Bauchi Assembly inaugurations

    Obasa argued that even though Section 92(1), Chapter V of the 1999 Constitution simply states that there shall be a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of a House of Assembly who shall be elected by the members of the House from among themselves, Section 98(1 and 2) clearly stipulates that voting must be by simple majority.

    Specifically, Section 98(2) states expressly: “Except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, the required majority for the purpose of determining any question shall be a simple majority.”

    Reacting to the injunction secured by the 11 members of the Bauchi House of Assembly stopping the majority in the House from parading their elected Speaker and Deputy, Obasa cautioned the judiciary against unnecessarily meddling in the affairs of the State Legislatures.

    According to him, the injunction from the Bauchi State High Court was frivolous and must be stopped.

    “Why should any reasonable court grant injunction in favour of 11 against 20? Why should the Judiciary interfere in the business of the legislature which is supposed to operate on the principle of separation of powers?” Obasa queried, stressing that this was part of the discussions at a two-day conference on the implementation of autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary in Abuja.

  • Bauchi: Mohammed, 17 lawmakers submit Assets Declaration Form

    The newly sworn in Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed, his deputy, Sen.Baba Tella, and 17 newly elected  law makers in the state have compiled with the provision of the law in the Code of Conduct Bureau to declare their assets, the  Nation can confirm.

    Though details of the assets were not made available to our Correspondent, but records obtained from the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, office in Bauchi State indicated that Bala Mohammed who was sworn in as the 16th governor of Bauchi state on Wednesday submitted his asset declaration form, CCB1, 28th of March 2019, a day before his inauguration likewise his deputy.

    A source at the CCB who spoke in confidence with the Nation said  the governor submitted his form through his elder brother, Alh. Adamu Duguri who is the Wakili of Bauchi and his new Chief of Staff, Alh.Abubakar Kari.

    The source revealed further that 17  newly elected  lawmakers have also submitted their assets declaration form. He said those that are yet to declare have a deadline of second week of July if not they won’t be allowed to take any oath of office.

    The date of submission and signatures of the   lawmakers was captioned in the CCB form.

    The lawmakers that have submitted their forms  include; Yusuf Mohammed Bako of Pali Constituency, Bala Abdullahi Dau of Duguri/Gwana Constituency, Jamilu Umaru Dahiri ,Bauchi Constituency,  Musa Mante Barraza, Dass Constituency, Yunusa Ahmed, Warji Constituency,  Tukur Ibrahim ,Toro/ Jama’a Constituency, Abubakar Suleiman ,Ningi Constituency, Ado Wakili ,Burra Constituency.

    Others are;   Baballe Abubakar Damnam of Dambam/ Daganda/Jalam Constituency, Gazali Abubakar Wunti, Ganjuwa East Constituency, Yusuf inuwa Dadiye, Ganjuwa West Constituency, Mukhtar A.Suleiman, Katagum Constituency, Wanzam Mohammed, Jama’re Constituency, Sale Hodi Jibir, Disina Constituency, Bello Mu’azu Shira , Shira Constituency, Tijani Mohammed Aliyu ,Azare / Madangalo Constituency

    The source revealed further that Aides, personal Assistant, Senior Special Assistant to be appointed by the Governor will make their assets declaration 90 days within the period of appointment.

    Meanwhile, the Nation also learnt that the Bala’s predecessor ,Abubakar Mohammed and his Deputy, Sule Audu Katagum made their assets declaration earlier before the inauguration of the new administration.

    The forms were submitted on the 24th of March to the Code of Conduct Bureau  and received by the Head of  Federal Commission Bureau ,  Saad Abdullahi Abubakar, who is the head of the assets declaration exercise in charge  of the North-East zone.

    Read Also: 43 suspected criminals arrested in Bauchi

    The Principal Private Secretary of the Former Governor, Alh.Sadisu Usman   submitted the form on his behalf.

    Others that have submitted their assets declaration form, CCB1, after their tenure expired in the past administration include 20 Commissioners, 42 Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistant s and Personal Assistants, 35 Board Chairman/ Members and 14 former lawmakers at the Bauchi State House of Assembly.

    The Commissioners are; Haruna Deke Mohammed,Hon  Ministry of Justice,  Babaginda Nasiru Giade , Commissioner of S.E.M.E.D., Ibrahim Ayuba Suleiman, Ministry of Water Resources, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, Ministry of housing, Ado Sarkin Asks Zigau, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr Zuwaira Hassan Ibrahim, Ministry of Health, Hon.Shehu Abubakar, Ministry of Works and Transport, Mohammed Sani Bashir,Ministry of Power and Technology.

    Others are; Umar Ibrahim Sade Commissioner Ministry of Information, Mohammed Aminu Ministry of Industry,  Trade and Investment,  Abubakar D.Ibrahim, Ministry of Youth and Sport , Alh.Samson Rifkatu Danna, Ministry of Environment, Rukayya Ibrahim Kewa, Ministry of Women Affairs, Danwanka Haruna Abdullahi, Ministry of Education, Yakubu Kirfi , Ministry of Agriculture, Musa Kaila Baima ,Ministry of Solid Minerals, Magaji Abubakar Dambam, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Nasiruddeen Mohammed, Ministry of Local Government, Garba Sarki Akuyam, Ministry of Finance.

    The Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Alh.Sadisu Abdulmumini Usman, the Chief of Staff, and   Deputy Chief of Staff have also declared their assets in accordance with the constitution.

    Section 185 subsection (1) to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that ” The person elected to the office of the Governor of a state shall not begin to perform the function of that office until he has declared his assets and liabilities as prescribed in this Constitution , and has subsequently taken and subscribed the oath of a Allegiance and Oath of office prescribed in the seventh schedule to this Constitution.

    Section 187 (2) reveals further that ”  The Provide of this chapter relating to the qualification for election tenure of office disqualifications, declaration of assets and liabilities and oaths of Governor shall apply in relation to the office  of Deputy Governor as it references to Governor were references to Deputy Governor.

  • Bala Mohammed reverses Abubakar’s last minute appointments

    The newly sworn in governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed has declared all last minute appointments carried out by his predecessor, Mohammed Abubakar null and void.

    Bala Mohammed who was sworn in on Wednesday by the acting Chief Judge of the state, Hajiya Rabi Umar, gave the directive while delivering his inaugural speech.

    The governor, while citing reasons for the reverse, said due processes were not followed in the appointments

    Bala Mohammed had earlier before his inauguration vowed to sue his predecessor for last minute recruitment of civil servants, reinstatement of district heads and awards of contracts.

    The governor said: “It is said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Nothing defines this as the various actions of policy somersault, reversals and impulse capitalisation of government.

    Read Also: APC challenges Bala Mohammed’s victory at tribunal

    “Some of the issues are too sordid to enumerate. I want to state categorically that all appointments, promotions, transfers and secondments, including those that are meant to create friction and division along traditional institutions, from the day I was declared by INEC as the winner of the gubernatorial elections to my swearing- in today, are hereby declared null and void”

    Bala also directed all allegedly dubious approvals given on land allocations, sale of government vehicles and houses as well as alleged spurious contracts awarded in the dying minutes of the last administration to be cancelled.

    “In cases where the instrumentality of Kangaroo legislation was used as a mask , we shall use the instrumentality of credible legislations to consign the absurdity to the scrap heaps of history,” he stressed.

    In compliance with his directive, he ordered most senior officials of departments and agencies (MDA) to ensure strict compliance.

    He also said his  administration will establish a high powered  committee  to recover all assets and properties of government that were illegally disposed by the past administration.

  • Bauchi lawyers query timing of Bauchi Governor-Elect’s arraignment

    A group, Body of Bauchi Lawyers of Conscience (BOBOLAC), has faulted the failed arrangement of Bauchi Governor- Elect, Bala Mohammed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Monday before the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama in Abuja over alleged failure to declare his assets.

    The group described the EFCC’s action as a threat to democracy, alleging foul play in the timing of the arraignment which is a month before the Governor- Elect’s inauguration on May 29.

    Chief Convener of the group Shippi Rabo, in a statement, said: ” Couldn’t the arraignment be arranged and prepared in a more responsible way and at such a practically better time than a day when the Governor -Elect was already scheduled to attend to crucial matters like the Nigeria Governors Forum’s organised induction for incoming Governors which held at the Presidential Villa,Abuja, a meeting with the Central Inauguration Committee handling plans for  his inauguration as Executive Governor of Bauchi come May 29th 2019? ”

    Read Also: Bauchi election tribunal commences sittings

    “The EFCC had over 10 months to file charges against the Governor-elect after Justice Talba withdrew from the case following his elevation to the Appeal court but they didn’t.

    “Why did it take EFCC nearly a whole year to have the case reassigned to a new court or Judge?

    “To what extent has the EFCC made progress in prosecuting the case considering that the first arraignment took place almost two years ago?”

    Shipi, who presented the position of the group, added that the latest action of the commission constituted an affront, assault and also represent a grave threat to the survival of democracy.

    He therefore called on all Nigerians to rise in unison against the act saying: ” If really the Prosecuting Counsel of the commission, Wahab Shittu would want us to believe that it has nothing to do with politics, then for obvious reasons and certainty justice of the matter, we should not be talking about arraigning Bauchi State Incoming Governor at this point in time”

  • Judge’s absence stalls Bauchi governor-elect’s arraignment

    The absence of Justice Yusuf Haliru of an FCT High Court on Monday stalled the arraignment of the governor-elect of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed.

    Mohammed, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was scheduled to be arriagned on a fresh six counts, bordering on false declaration of assets and giving false information to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    At the court, Mohammed and his counsel and the EFCC counsel were present but the court did not sit because the judge, was on election petition duty in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Counsel for the EFCC, Mr Wahab Shittu, while speaking with newsmen, said:”the EFCC is an anti-corruption agency, it does not play politics.

    “It exists to serve the public.”

    Read Also: Minimum wage: We are ready to pay —Bauchi

    On the arraignment, he said “It is a matter that was ongoing before another judge who has now been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

    The expectation he said was that the matter would soon be reassigned to another judge.

    “Just a week ago, the registry of this court sent us a notice that today has been fixed for the re-arraignment of the defendant.

    “It was not at the instance of the court.

    “You know when a case is transferred to another court, it starts de novo (afresh).”

    He added that no one should see what was happening as an attempt by the EFCC to intimidate anyone.

    “Let us focus on the matter before the court. EFCC exists to serve everybody,” he said.

    NAN

  • PDP, Bala Mohammed assemble 5 SANs, 60 other lawyers to defend victory

    Bauchi State Governor-Elect Sen. Bala Mohammed on Saturday stated the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the state will engage the services of 5 Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SANs ) 10 other senior lawyers and 50 indigenous lawyers from Bauchi in defense of his mandate at the Election Petition Tribunal.

    The disclosure followed the Petition filed on Saturday by the outgoing Governor, Mohammad Abubakar and the All Progressive Congress in Bauchi State challenging his victory in Court at the last governorship election.

    Addressing journalists shortly after the submission of the petition on Saturday at the Tribunal, the APC Chairman Uba Ahmed Nana had said Gov Mohammed Abubakar the gubernatorial candidate of the party at the last election is seeking justice from the Court.

    The governor-elect however noted that though his party is yet to be served a copy of the petition, it is readily prepared to tackle Gov Abubakar and the APC in the foreseeable judicial contest.

    Read also: Ideology and PDP’s electoral resurgence

    Addressing newsmen at the Command Guest House in Bauchi while receiving the group known as the Body of Bauchi Lawyers of Conscience who volunteered to mobilise 50 lawyers in his defense, Mohammed said: “The issue of APC taking me to the Tribunal is a normal thing , that is why  it is provided in the electoral act.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank my supporters and the people of Bauchi for their show of patience. The petition is nothing to worry about because we have taking necessary measures.

    “Though we have not been served, once we are served and we see the details and we are going to respond

    “We are also going to engage our lawyers, about five Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, about ten other senior lawyers and 50 Bauchi indigenous lawyers.

    “That is to say the APC petition at the Tribunal is dead on arrival due to the support of the Body of Bauchi Lawyers of Conscience (BOBALAC).”

    Mohammed, while accepting the offer of BOBOLAC to be part of his legal team, said he is highly privileged to be rendered such services by the lawyers of conscience and quality.

    “My legal team has accepted your partnership as your kind gesture shows patriotism,” he said.

    He said further that his election is an act from God saying it has come to many as a surprise.

    Honorary President of BOBOLAC, Jibrin Sa’id Jibrin, said his team of lawyers is ready to work with the legal team of the governor -elect.

  • I’ll run inclusive government- Bauchi Governor- elect

    Bauchi Governor –Elect Bala Mohammed has pledged to run an all-inclusive and participatory government as soon as he takes over from Governor Mohammed Abubakar and the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Mohammad, who made the pledge at a special Broadcast shortly after he was declared the winner of the supplementary poll on Monday night, said he will execute his duties in honour and benefits of all the people of Bauchi State.

    “As your Governor, I propose to work and earn your respect, I will run an efficient and transparent government and I shall hold them responsible and accountable to my administration.

    “I promise to run an- inclusive government participatory government and so i hasten to extend a hand of brotherhood and friendship to my fellow contestants because i believe we have everything to gain by working together.”

    He vowed to transform the state to an economic hub through pragmatic innovations.

    “We are determined to launch a pro-business, pro-market agricultural and economic revolution within four years. My aim is to win over the majority of the people of Bauchi State to believe in our new ideas and to believe in ourselves.

    “It is my duty to rapidly pull Bauchi state into the 21st century and I see a world of opportunities and possibilities waiting for us to explore through pragmatic innovations.”

    He added: “In the coming days and weeks, we shall be engaged with officials of the outgoing government with what would hopefully be a hitch-free transitional exercise.

    “Once we have a clear picture of the enormity of the task of rebuilding our state, I shall be honest with you about the challenges we would face because i know the road will be long and rough”.

    He said citizens have been subjected to grave and economic deprivation as well as political persecution and he will consider it his ardent desire to labour for the empowerment of the teeming youths of Bauchi state.

    The governor -elect added the core of his mandate is the crucial drive to give Bauchi state citizens a better prospect and greater opportunity for a prosperous life.

    He said reducing poverty and empowering the citizens in the areas of agriculture, education, urban and rural infrastructure.

    Mohammad thanked members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), civil society organisations, women and youth groups who laboured relentless for his victory.

  • UPDATED: Bala Mohammed wins Bauchi guber race

    The Bauchi state gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Bala Mohammed, has been declared winner of the governorship election in Bauchi state.

    Declaring the winner of the poll, the returning officer Prof. Mohammed Kyari, a Vice Chancellor of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola, said that after merging the final results, the APC candidate polled  515,113 votes while his close rival Governor  Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressive Congress scored 500,625  votes.

    “I professor Mohammed Kyari certified as the returning officer of the March 9, March  23 and March  25 2019, governorship election in Bauchi state hereby announced that  Bala Abdulkadir  Mohammed having satisfied the requirement of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and returned reelected,” He said.

    He said that the total number of the registered voters at the Guber poll were 2,462, 843, the accredited voters; 1,143,019 The total valid votes cast stood at 1,111,406 while rejected votes are 22, 560. Those who cast their ballot were 1,133,966

    He added that the PDP candidate defeated his opponent with 14, 488 votes.

    Ali Pate of the Peoples Redemption Party polled 46, 326 votes while Ahmed Adamu Shuaibu of New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP followed respectively with 33, 339 votes.

    Earlier, during the March 9 inconclusive election, Mohammed was credited with 469,512 votes and Abubakar 465,453, with a vote margin of 4059 but the election was declared inconclusive after  the total number of votes cancelled during March 9 election was more than the margin between the PDP candidate, who was leading with  votes and that of the APC candidate.

    At the second ballot, Sen. Bala Mohammed PDP, garnered a total of 6376 votes against his main opponent, incumbent Governor Mohammed Abubakar who polled 5117 votes at the rerun, with a vote margin of 1259 between both parties.

    The total number of registered voters at the rerun was 22,759. Accredited voters are 12, 109, Valid votes, 11, 568 while total votes cast are 11, 979. Rejected votes, 403.

    The rerun election was held in 36 Polling covering 29 registration areas (wards) in 15 affected local government areas.

    INEC had declared the first ballot inconclusive on the grounds that the number of cancelled votes was higher than the margin of lead between the two top political parties.

    The electoral body later announced that it would resume collation when it found out that the number of cancelled votes was tampered with, a decision Abubakar and the APC challenged in court.

    Consequently, the  Federal High Court sitting in Abuja barred the Commission (INEC) from collation of result of the governorship election of March 9 in Bauchi State in an order given by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday following an ex parte application filed APC and the incumbent governor of the state, Mohammed Abubakar.

    INEC  on Monday  resumed the collation of the results of the election from Tafawa Balewa Local government area which process was halted last week on the ground of  the Court Order restraining the commission , as the  Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday later  gave the  Commission the leeway to continue and conclude the collation of the results of the March 9 , 2019 governorship election in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

    The  Federal High Court in Abuja clearly dismissed the suit filed by the Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar and the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resume collation exercise in the state’s gubernatorial election.

    Read also: INEC resumes collation of Bauchi governorship poll result

    In a judgment delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo.

    Justice Ekwo set aside the order for maintenance of status quo earlier made by the court and ordered INEC to proceed with its activities geared at concluding the governorship election in Bauchi State.

    The result for Tafawa Balewa LGA, a stronghold of the PDP was initially cancelled when the  Collation Officer, Mrs Dominion Anosike alleged she was  under pressure from Party Agents who could not wait for the arrival of a replacement result sheet and decided to collate the result on an available RA result sheet instead of the replacement LGA result sheet.

    Apparently, the Returning Officer, Mohammed Kyari, rejected the regenerated result because it was on a wrong result sheet during her presentation at the State Governorship Collation Centre which led to the declaration of the first ballot inconclusive.

    Meanwhile, the incumbent governor, Mohammed Abubakar has congratulated the governor-elect.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy Ali.M.Ali.He said,

    “I congratulate my brother, Sen Bala on this victory at the polls.

    “I am delighted to note that in-spite of the intensity of the campaigns in our dear state, a peaceful election took place without bloodshed.

    “Let me, therefore, invite the Governor-elect to join me in working out the process of a smooth transition.

    “I sincerely thank the entire people of Bauchi state for their support to my administration and urge them to extend the same to the incoming administration.

    “I also urge governor-elect to caution his supporters to be law-abiding while celebrating since the period of campaigns is now over.

  • Bauchi governor loses polling unit to PDP

    Counting of votes has commenced in polling units in Bauchi, producing its first shocker as incumbent governor Muhammed Abubakar of APC lost his polling unit to Bala Mohammed of PDP.

    Announcing the outcome of the election in the governor’ s Gindin Durumi polling unit of Bauchi metropolis, Presiding Officer, Mr Chinedu Onora, said the governor polled 288 votes while the PDP candidate garnered 358 votes, a difference of 70 votes.

    Onuora put the total number of invalid votes at 59.

    There was wild jubilation by voters at the unit after the announcement.