#NigeriaDecides2023: I will accept election outcome, says Bala Mohammed

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, says he will accept the outcome of the gubernatorial election in the state. 

Muhammed spoke on Saturday after casting his vote at the Bakin Dutse polling unit 008 in Duguri, Alkaleri LGA of the state.

The governor, who was first elected in 2019, is seeking reelection on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor expressed optimism that the voting process would remain peaceful until the conclusion of the exercise.

“I hope the higher the turnout, the more they vote for me but I wouldn’t say because I can not predict,” he said.

“However, I’m happy that everything appears to be very peaceful. People are looking so joyous and excited. I feel that this is the kind of situation we need all over the country. People (are) exercising their franchise without any hindrance, acrimony, or conflict.

“We are very grateful to God and we are ready to really accept the outcome. We will continue to do anything as a state to make sure that the election is peaceful and the outcome by the grace of God is acceptable.”

Mohammed commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the “seamless operation” of the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) in his polling unit, noting that the election was orderly.

“INEC has done very well as far as I’m concerned. Whether it is manual or electronic, you can see that the process is very peaceful and orderly,” he said.

“As soon as we came, the BVAS worked and they didn’t even have to snap me as I just used my fingers and my picture showed and then it ticked. It took not more than 10 minutes for me to vote. INEC has done very well.”

The governor is up against Abubakar Sadique of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Halliru Jika of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Mohammed Aminu of the Social Democratic Party (NNPP) who are major contenders in the race.