By Sulaiman Maijama’a
Although Local Government Election in Bauchi State has not been conducted for the last past Eleven years, it is not something new to the electorate. This forthcoming one being the 4th to be conducted since after transition to democracy in 1999 will seize the state by surprise, looking at the formidable and awe-inspiring political parties and candidates that have since joined the race.
The election is slated for October 17, 2020, in all the LGAs across the state under the watchdog of BASIEC and some committees to ensure free, fair and credible election.
It could be recalled that before Governor Bala’s assumption in office, he made a promise during his electioneering campaign that he would conduct LG elections when given the mandate. With luck and prayers, he became the Executive Governor in the 2019 election having defeated his predecessor.
The election would have been conducted since, but the novel coronavirus that ravages the world made it compulsory to be shifted. Lucky enough it will be held next week.
As we all know Bauchi is a state with an unending political saga, since the declaration by the State Government to conduct this election, Politics has grown feather in the state among contestants, Parties, technocrats and Political Gladiators.
But the most interesting part of it the fact that the State Governor, Bala Mohammed has given a level playing ground to all Political Parties to be involved; the major ones are the All Progressive Congress APC and the ruling people’s Democratic Party PDP.
The fact that the state governor proved to be disinterested in the forthcoming elections by not acting in any way to exert influence in the process, is so surprising. Nonetheless, it’s a clear giveaway that the governor is confident of the dividends of democracy he is bringing to his people, giant stride and commitment in and outside the State.
It’s therefore, obvious that the election will be a kind of assessment by the State’s citizens to the performance of Governor Bala Mohammed; if the citizens are satisfied with the leadership style of the governor they will troop out and vote for his party, the people’s Democratic party PDP or else, otherwise will happen but, hopefully, the relentless efforts of the governor will pay-off.
Maijama’a, Faculty of Communication, BUK
sulaimanmaija@gmail.com
