S’court upholds Bauchi Gov. Bala Muhammed’s election

The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Sen. Bala Muhammed of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the duly elected governor of Bauchi State.

Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, who read the lead judgment, struck out the appeal filed by Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to nullify the victory of Gov. Muhammed for lack of evidence and inability to prove beyond doubt allegations of malpractice and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

Persecondnews reports that Mohammed was present in court for the judgment which affirmed his victory and upheld the verdict of the State Election Petitions Tribunal.

Police had deployed its men to strategic areas across the state to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

Police Commissioner Auwal Musa Muhammad had ordered Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders, and DPOs to strengthen confidence- building patrol, avert attack on citizens and clampdown on violators.

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Bauchi State had on September 20, 2023, struck out the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar (Rtd), challenging Mr. Bala Mohammed’s election.

The three-man panel headed by Justice P.T. Kwahar held that Abubakar’s petition lacked merit and affirmed Sen. Bala Mohammed as the duly elected governor of the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Mohammed winner of the March 18 election with 525,280 votes while his closest rival, Abubakar, a former Chief of Air Staff, polled 432,272 votes.

Rejecting the tribunal judgment upholding Mohammed’s victory, Abubakar and the APC filed an appeal.

In November 2923, the appellate court confirmed Mohammed’s March 18 election.