Opposition Parties Boycott Election In Nigerian State
A coalition of opposition political parties in Bauchi State has announced its decision to boycott the local government elections scheduled to hold across the state on Monday, August 17.
It described the slated exercise as a “kangaroo election” allegedly designed to favour the ruling Allied People’s Movement (APM).
The coalition comprises the African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Action Congress (AAC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Politics Nigeria learnt that the parties announced the boycott at a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Bauchi on Sunday, barely 24 hours before the election.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, ADC National Spokesperson, Dr Ladan Salihu, said the opposition parties had agreed to take a joint position on the election.
He added that the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was also expected to join the coalition.
The parties faulted the legal framework guiding the election, alleging that the 2026 poll was being conducted under the 2008 Bauchi State Electoral Law, as reflected in guidelines issued by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC).
According to them, the arrangement was inconsistent with the 2026 Electoral Act, which they said provided the legal framework from which BASIEC derived its authority.
“This has produced a weak and questionable legal framework and legal foundation for the conduct of these elections,” the coalition said.
The opposition parties also criticised the nomination and administrative fees imposed by BASIEC, describing the charges as excessive and financially burdensome.
They argued that candidates and parties were already required to bear the cost of campaigns, transportation, accommodation, publicity, security, agents and other logistics.
“The duplication of nomination and administrative charges for the individual candidates, even though the entire exercise is funded by the state government from our commonwealth, raises serious concerns,” they said.
The coalition further faulted the electoral timetable, which it described as “cumbersome and compressed.”
It said party primaries were restricted to July 15 and 17, while nomination forms were collected between July 22 and 24 and completed forms returned between July 27 and 29.
The parties argued that the short timeline left insufficient time for candidate selection, internal party processes, documentation, screening, appeals, corrections, substitutions and resolution of disputes.
They also complained about the limited campaign period and BASIEC’s decision to process all forms exclusively at its headquarters in Bauchi.
According to the coalition, the arrangement created additional transportation and administrative costs for candidates and political parties that could have been avoided through processing at zonal or local government offices.
The opposition parties alleged that the electoral arrangements were deliberately structured to hand victory to the ruling party.
“Everything is being predetermined to ensure that the ruling party gets a landslide and sweeping victory in the so-called elections,” the coalition alleged.
It further expressed concern that some opposition parties could have been approached or financially induced to participate in the election in order to create an impression of broad-based political participation.
The parties maintained that the absence of what they described as a level playing field made credible competition impossible, particularly because the ruling party had access to government machinery and public resources while opposition parties depended largely on voluntary contributions.
Explaining the boycott, the coalition said its decision should not be interpreted as weakness or abandonment of democratic participation.
“Our decision not to participate under the present arrangement must not be mistaken for weakness or withdrawal from a democratic process,” it said.
“It is a principled and deliberate rejection of political manipulation, financial exclusion, and an electoral process that does not guarantee a free, fair and credible election.”
The opposition parties called on BASIEC to immediately postpone the election and address their concerns before fixing a new date.
They said they would reconsider their position and participate if the alleged restrictions were removed and a genuine level playing field was provided.
“We hereby announce our resolve, as opposition political parties, to boycott what we consider a kangaroo election,” the coalition said.
The parties warned that failure to address their grievances would leave them with no option but to pursue other legitimate measures.They, however, reaffirmed their commitment to democracy and peaceful political participation.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Government has declared Monday, August 17, a work-free day across the state to enable civil and public servants to participate in the local government elections.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado.
This holiday covers workers at the local, state and federal levels serving in Bauchi, as well as employees in the banking sector.
