BAUCHI State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar has reacted to the allegation that his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), rigged last Saturday’s Bauchi South senatorial district by-election in the state describing the allegations as baseless and unfounded.
The Governor who was reacting to the press briefing by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which accused his administration of widespread and open vote buying and colluding with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commissioned (INEC) and security agencies to rig the election stated that there is no iota of truth in the allegations.
Mohammed Abubakar while interacting with Journalists Monday evening, said that the opposition PDP or any other person aggrieved with the outcome of the by-election is free to challenge the outcome as it is in line with the laws of the country.
He stated, “If PDP feels very strongly about the issues, they know where to go. The President of the Court of Appeal has already established an Election Petitions Tribunal. They know the road to the Tribunal, it is not a matter of grand sliding. The PDP should just go and file their petition.”
While responding to the allegation that the APC led administration was involved in vote buying, Mohammed Abubakar said, “Where are you going to find the money? Unless you are one of those who have occupied offices in the past and amassed wealth. The Government of Bauchi State has no such money to give. We are feeding on hand to mouth, paying salaries as at when due and working for the good people of Bauchi State and so we don’t have the money to buy votes. This is the situation.”
The Governor further expressed appreciation to the people of the state for the peaceful conduct of the by-election stating, “I want to extend my warm and deep appreciation to the people of Bauchi State for the bye-election in the Bauchi South Senatorial District.”
“The election came and went peacefully. There was no report of any incident throughout the seven local government areas of Bauchi South senatorial district. That is why I find it expedient to congratulate the good people of Bauchi South senatorial district and urged that come future elections, let us conduct ourselves the same way,” he further said.
The Governor also stated that, “We have heard that many parties have been coming out to congratulate INEC for conducting a free, fair and credible election. Thank you and God bless you.”
On the peace enjoyed in the state, the Governor attributed it to God and the vigilance of the security agencies working in the state stressing that, “The collaboration between the security agencies and Bauchi State is a symbiotic relationship that has been producing this comparative peace in Bauchi State.”
He concluded that, “The state is easily the most peaceful of the northeastern states and one of the most peaceful in Nigeria. Don’t forget that we are replete with a lot of forests. These are hiding places for nefarious activities but that notwithstanding, we have enjoyed immense peace in Bauchi State. We are committed to ensuring the security of lives and property of the good people of Bauchi State.”
It would be recalled that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi state had rejected the outcome of the by-election describing it as a charade declaring that it is heading to the tribunal to challenge the results.
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