Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed has vowed to resist any attempt to manipulate the 2027 general election, declaring that his political camp would neither seek electoral malpractice nor tolerate it.
Mohammed made the remarks on Thursday after the Allied People’s Movement affirmed him as its senatorial candidate for Bauchi South Senatorial District during a gathering at the Government House in Bauchi.
The party also endorsed the state commissioner for finance, Yakubu Adamu, as its governorship candidate, while commissioner for water resources Nuhu Zaki and deputy governor Auwal Jatau were affirmed as candidates for Bauchi Central and Bauchi North senatorial districts respectively.
Speaking after the affirmation, Mohammed said the coming elections would be fought on ideas, performance and direct engagement with voters rather than political intimidation or manipulation.
“We are not going to underestimate our competitors. Even a child that is born today, if he is a candidate, I am going to deal with him like a grown-up person,” he said.
“It is a new game entirely. We are going back to the people to sell our credentials and what we have done.”
The governor called on the federal government, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to maintain neutrality and transparency throughout the electoral process.
“We will not urge anybody to rig for us, but we will not allow anybody to rig us. This is our policy,” Mohammed said.
“If we win, we will accept it. If we lose, we will accept it, especially where there is transparency, justice and equity. That is democracy.”
Mohammed said the decision to adopt the APM platform was shaped by political realities and internal disagreements within the Peoples Democratic Party, where tensions have deepened ahead of the 2027 elections.
He praised the national leadership of the APM, describing the party as one rooted in the interests of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those in rural communities.
According to him, the party had already established structures across wards, local government areas and the state within a relatively short period.
Explaining his decision to contest for the Senate after completing his tenure as governor, Mohammed said the move was strategic and intended to ensure continuity for his administration’s development agenda.
“That is why I am running for the Senate. I can still provide leadership. We want to take our development to the next level,” he said.
The governor also commended security agencies, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian army, for improving security in Bauchi and other parts of the country.
“Our politics are going to be issue-based. We are not going to abuse anybody. We will remain humble in victory because we are vindicating ourselves before the people,” he added.
The APM governorship candidate, Yakubu Adamu, described his emergence as the product of a transparent consensus process and pledged to consolidate on the achievements of the Mohammed administration.
“I accept this mandate with humility, a deep sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment to serve,” Adamu said.
He praised the governor for mentoring younger leaders and entrusting them with responsibilities that prepared them for higher office.
“You recognised our potential, entrusted us with responsibilities beyond our imagination and prepared us for the challenges of leadership,” he said.
“Your wisdom and legacies inspire us to build on the tremendous achievements recorded in the last seven years.”
Adamu also commended the party for what he described as its commitment to internal democracy and fairness during the affirmation process.
He said his administration, if elected, would prioritise continuity, economic growth, education, healthcare, rural development, youth empowerment and infrastructure.
“Our project will be about continuity, progress and prosperity. We will engage our people directly, listen to their concerns and present pragmatic solutions,” he said.
Earlier, the APM state chairman, Auwal Isah, said the party’s candidates across the state emerged through consensus and confirmed that congresses had been successfully conducted at all levels.
He expressed confidence that the party would perform strongly in 2027, citing the developmental projects executed under Mohammed’s administration as evidence of its growing support base.
