2027: 19 Candidates Battle For Bauchi Governorship Seat, As INEC Publishes Names

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the names and personal particulars of 19 governorship candidates and their running mates contesting the 2027 governorship election in Bauchi State.

The list, displayed at the commission’s office in Bauchi, contains candidates elected by various political parties seeking to participate in the general election.

A visit by our correspondent to the INEC office over the weekend showed supporters of different political parties scrutinising the displayed list to confirm the inclusion of their preferred candidates and compliance with the commission’s requirements.

LEADERSHIP reports that the list indicated that 19 candidates from various political parties are vying to succeed Governor Bala Mohammed as the next governor of Bauchi State in the 2027 governorship election

Among the governorship candidates listed by INEC are Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN, of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Yakubu Adamu of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Senator Shehu Umar Buba of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Hon. Halliru Dauda Jika of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Usman Ahmed Sufi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Kashim Ibrahim Muhammad of the New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); and Idris Aliyu Muhammad of the Labour Party, among others.

Some of the supporters who spoke with our correspondent expressed confidence in INEC’s preparations, while urging the commission to ensure that the 2027 election is free, fair, transparent and credible.

One of them, Auwal Captain, said the early publication of the candidates’ details had strengthened public confidence in the electoral process.

“I am fully convinced that INEC is ready to conduct the election, judging by these early preparations. The display of candidates’ information gives us more confidence in the process,” he said.

Captain, however, urged the commission to ensure that the final outcome of the election reflects the choice of the electorate rather than the interests of individuals or groups.

Similarly, another supporter, Malam Adamu Anatare, called on INEC to justify the confidence Nigerians had placed in it by ensuring that votes are properly counted and results accurately reflect the wishes of voters.

“My concern is the outcome of the election. People are ready to participate and vote, but they also want to protect their votes. Anything short of this could create problems,” he said.

Meanwhile, political analysts have urged INEC to maintain transparency throughout the electoral process, particularly in the deployment of sensitive election materials, recruitment and training of ad-hoc personnel, as well as the effective deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

They also called for timely and uninterrupted dissemination of information before, during and after the election to minimise confusion and strengthen public trust in the process.