The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the incumbent governor of Bauchi state Senator Bala Mohammed and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party reelected for another four years term.
He won in 15 local government areas of: Alkaleri (where he hails from), Kirfi, Bogoro, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Ganjuwa, Itas Gadau, Zaki, Jama’are, Ningi, Dambam, Shira, Toro, Warji and Bauchi.
He defeated his closest rival, Sadique Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress, who won only five LGAs.
The LGAs won by Abubakar, a former Chief of Air Staff are: Giade (where he hails from), Gamawa, Darazo, Katagum and Misau.
The Returning Officer, Bauchi State Governorship election, Prof. Abdulkarim Mohammed, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State announced the results of the keenly contested election at the Collation Center in the State at 10.12am on Monday.
The exercise was held at the Prof. Yakubu Mahmood Conference Hall at the Independent National Electoral Commission Headquarters, Bauchi.
Mohammed said that Mohammed polled a total of 528,280 votes to defeat his closest rival of the APC who followed closely with 432,272.
The New Nigeria People’s Party candidate, Senator Haliru Jika, trailed far behind with just 60,496 votes.
He said that Bauchi State has a total of 2,749,268 registered voters while those who were accredited are: 1,058,381.
The Returning Officer who said that there were 1,034,379 valid votes, added that 15,221 votes were rejected while total votes cast were: 1,049,600 votes.
He said: “I, Prof. Abdulkarim Muhammad, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, the Returning Officer of the Bauchi State Governorship election, hereby certify that Bala Mohammed of the PDP having scored the highest votes and fulfilled the provisions of the law is hereby declared winner and is returned elected.”