BAUCHI, NIGERIA — A coalition of opposition political parties in Bauchi State has announced a sweeping boycott of the upcoming local government elections, citing fundamental flaws in the electoral process and accusing the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission of bias and lack of transparency.
The decision, unveiled at a joint press conference in Bauchi on Sunday, represents a significant challenge to the credibility of the local government polls scheduled for later this month. The coalition includes major opposition parties that have collectively expressed deep dissatisfaction with the procedures put in place by the electoral body, warning that participation under the current conditions would only serve to legitimise what they describe as a “sham election.”
Addressing journalists, representatives of the coalition argued that the electoral commission has failed to guarantee a level playing field for all participating parties. They pointed to alleged irregularities in the voter registration process, the composition of the electoral committee, and the overall conduct of preparations for the exercise. Specifically, the opposition accused the commission of denying them access to critical electoral materials, failing to update the voters’ register in a transparent manner, and refusing to engage in meaningful consultations with stakeholders.
“We cannot participate in an exercise that is predetermined and designed to legitimise a foregone conclusion,” a spokesperson for the coalition stated. “Our decision to boycott is not taken lightly, but we believe it is necessary to draw urgent national attention to the erosion of democratic principles at the local government level in Bauchi State.”
The coalition further alleged that the state government has exerted undue influence over the electoral commission, compromising its independence and impartiality. They claimed that the ruling party has already mapped out victory strategies that undermine the will of the people, including the deployment of state resources for campaign purposes and the intimidation of opposition supporters in rural areas. “What we are witnessing is not an election but a coronation,” another opposition leader declared.
The opposition parties called on the electorate and civil society organisations to reject the process and demanded that the federal government intervene to ensure the integrity of future electoral exercises in the state. They also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to take over the conduct of local government elections across Nigeria, arguing that state electoral commissions have consistently proven incapable of conducting free and fair polls.
“The local government is the closest tier of government to the people, and it is unacceptable that its elections are treated with such disregard,” the coalition stated. “We will not be part of a process that mocks democracy and disenfranchises the people of Bauchi State.”
The Bauchi State Government and the electoral commission have yet to issue an official response to the boycott announcement. However, sources within the ruling party have dismissed the opposition’s claims as a tactic to cover up their lack of preparation and popular support ahead of the polls.
As the election date approaches, the political climate in the state is expected to remain tense, with the opposition’s withdrawal further polarising the electoral landscape. Civil society groups have expressed concern that the boycott could lead to low voter turnout and further undermine public confidence in democratic processes in the state. Analysts warn that the situation in Bauchi reflects a broader trend across Nigeria, where local government elections are often marred by irregularities and a lack of credibility.
For now, the opposition coalition has vowed to monitor the election and document any irregularities, while calling on the international community and domestic observers to pay close attention to developments in Bauchi. The coming days will determine whether the boycott will pressure the electoral commission to address the opposition’s concerns or whether the election will proceed amid the ongoing controversy and political tension.
