Paul Orude, Bauchi
Residents of Bauchi State have reacted to the results of the just-concluded supplementary elections in the state, calling on the incumbent Governor Mohammed Abubakar to concede defeat and leave honourable like former President Good luck Jonathan did in 2015 in the presidential election.
Many who expect that the winner of the March 9 governorship election would be announced by the Returning Officer this morning were disappointed as they had to wait for the court to decide whether the results of Tafawa Balewa would be announced or a rerun would be carried out in the area to determine the winner.
Many of those who spoke to our correspondent in the state capital expressed grave displeasure with the decision of the APC and its candidate, Abubakar Mohammed, to go to court saying clearly he was losing and the judiciary could not save him as the people had decided
There are concerns that Governor Abubakar’s giant billboards in some parts of the state capital, which cost huge sums of money to erect would be taken down by angry youth as a way of expressing their displeasure with what they alleged was the governor’s last-gasp effort to buy time.
Some PDP supporters were seen dancing and singing near the INEC office to celebrate results of the 19 out of 20 local governments so far announced, rejoicing that the days of the APC administration led by Mohammed Abubakar in the state were over for good.
“Governor Abubakar is only delaying the evil days. Whether he likes it or not, he is a goner, “Isa Ibrahim, one of those celebrating the results announced so far said.
“How can a sitting governor allow himself to be defeated? Abubakar had chances but failed to utilise them. That is the prize of arrogance,” a resident of Tirwun, who declined to mention his name said.
Although a winner is yet to be declared by INEC as all stakeholders await the pronouncement of an Abuja High Court tomorrow, several residents have reacted to the development.
Adamu Usman, a residence of Railway, Sabon Kasuwa in Bauchi Metropolis, and a member of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, Bauchi-Tirwum, said: “There is no need for a rerun in the Tafawa Balewa; the results should just be announced and whosoever wins should be allowed because more money will be spent and time will be wasted.
“It is God who gives power; what we need in the state is peace.”
Illiya Mohammed, from Misau town, a commercial driver, said: “INEC should be allowed to declare the winner because we are tired of this APC government. We suffered under them.
“My parents are pensioners; they are suffering. Some of the pensioners in the state are paralysed (apparently for not receiving their pay), so we want this government out.
“APC should accept defeat and spare us all these pains. They have been defeated twice, so even if we do a rerun, again they will be defeated because clearly Tafawa Balewa is not their stronghold.”
Some officials serving in the APC government have also vented their frustration with the governor’s alleged his sit-tight tactics. They say enough is enough as the writing on the wall indicates that the governor’s time is up.
One of them who pleaded for anonymity said: “We were advising His Excellency to tow the path of honour and concede defeat but he has refused. The people of Bauchi State are just suffering over his procrastination.
“He should take the step former President Goodluck Jonathan took by conceding defeat because if he refuses to do so, he would suffer more humiliation.
“Already, his commissioner for finance has resigned and five more will leave.”
At the moment, the mood of several PDP supporters is that of jubilation and confidence of victory.