A coalition of opposition political parties in bauchi The state has announced a boycott of local government elections scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, describing the process as a “kangaroo election” allegedly designed to favor the ruling party.
The position was made known on Sunday at a global press conference held at the NUJ Secretariat in Bauchi and addressed by Dr Ladan Salihu, spokesperson for the National Office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Salihu spoke at the briefing on behalf of the ADC, African Action Congress (AAC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) president was also expected to join the coalition, adding that the parties had decided to act jointly on the matter.
The coalition said the 2026 local government elections would be held under the Bauchi State Electoral Act 2008, as reflected in the guidelines issued by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC).
According to the coalition, “This is in apparent contradiction to the Electoral Law of 2026, from which BASIEC ultimately derives its own authority and power. This has produced a weak and questionable legal framework and legal basis for the holding of these elections.”
He listed the excessive nomination and administrative fees imposed by BASIEC as a major barrier, saying: “The duplication of nominations and administrative fees for individual candidates, despite the entire exercise being funded by the state government of our Commonwealth, raises serious concerns… which appear designed to further weaken opposition parties financially.”
The coalition noted that the fees were in addition to the costs of campaigning, transportation, accommodation, advertising, security, agents and other logistics.
The coalition also criticized the electoral calendar, calling it “cumbersome and compressed.”
He said BASIEC restricted the party primaries to just two days, July 15 and 17, while the collection of nomination forms was scheduled for July 22-24 and the return of completed forms for July 27-29, 2026.
He highlighted that “This left parties only a few days to identify a candidate, complete internal processes and gather all necessary and required documentation. Insufficient time was allowed for selection, appeals, correction of errors, replacement of candidates and resolution of internal disputes, along with an extremely limited campaign period.”
He further criticized the requirement that all forms be processed exclusively at the BASIEC headquarters in Bauchi rather than at the zonal or local government level, saying it imposed “unnecessary additional transportation and administrative financial burdens.”
The coalition alleged that the agreements were structured to guarantee the victory of the ruling party, saying: “Everything is predetermined to ensure that the ruling party obtains a landslide victory… and a landslide victory in the so-called elections.”
He also expressed concern that “some opposition parties may have already been contacted, cajoled or even financially induced to join the ranks” to create the appearance of broad participation.
The failure to establish a level playing field, Salihu added, was a “fundamental obstacle to free and fair competition,” given that the ruling party controls government machinery and public resources, while opposition parties rely on voluntary contributions.
In light of the issues raised, the coalition announced that it would not participate in the elections, stating: “Our decision not to participate under the current agreement should not be confused with weakness or withdrawal from a democratic process.”
“It is a deliberate and principled rejection of political manipulation, financial exclusion and an electoral process that does not guarantee free, fair and credible elections,” he said.
The coalition noted: “Rather than committing our members’ scarce but hard-earned resources to a deal we consider unfair and unjustifiable, we believe our resources are better channeled toward mobilizing and building stronger party structures.”
The coalition called for the immediate postponement of the elections until the impediments are addressed and a “generous and genuine playing field” is provided by BASIEC.
“We hereby announce our determination, as opposition political parties, to boycott what we consider a kangaroo election. We will reconsider our position and participate only if these obstacles and restrictions are lifted,” he said.
The coalition warned that “if the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission fails to do so, we will be left with no option but to take any additional measures we consider legitimately necessary.”
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to democracy and peaceful participation in politics and prayed for peace and progress in Bauchi State and Nigeria.
At press time, BASIEC had not responded to the allegations.
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