By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The Electoral Committee of National Union of Toro Students (NUTOS ELCOM), has been urged not to declare the just-concluded election inconclusive.
The appeal was made by Stakeholders in Toro LGA of Bauchi State who declared that the decision of the electoral committee was deeply troubling and requires urgent clarification.
According to the results announced by the ELCOM for the presidency, Abdulhamid Salisu Galda polled a total of 191 votes while Mohammed Abubakar Bello polled 130 votes and Ikrima Rishi polled 66 votes.
The total registered voters was 365 while total votes cast was 438 just as invalid votes accounted for 20 and additional 7 making a total of 27 invalid votes.
The stakeholders led by Aliu Tilde,
observed that even after accounting for the invalid votes, the figures still showed a clear and undisputed winner, thereby, saw no need for the declaration of the process as inconclusive.
The stakeholders, stressed the need to be guided by simple arithmetic and fairness stressing that the margin of victory is 61 votes while the election was declared inconclusive on the basis of “high votes” observing that, “Yet the presence of invalid or excess votes does not erase or overturn Galda’s clear lead.”
The stakeholders are of the opinion that, “The fundamental question remains unanswered: How does the existence of invalid or excess votes automatically translate to an inconclusive election when the outcome is not affected?”
According to the stakeholders, “Declaring this election inconclusive despite a clear margin undermines the democratic will of the voters and raises concerns about transparency and consistency in the application of electoral rules.”
“We therefore call on NUTOS ELCOM to: Clearly cite the electoral guideline that justifies this decision, or Respect the figures as announced and uphold the victory of Galda. The electorate deserves accountability. Numbers don’t lie, and mandates must be respected,” The stakeholders declared.
The stakeholders added that,”Give public a legal references or declare a winner. How does the existence of excess or invalid votes automatically justify declaring the election inconclusive when the numerical outcome remains unaffected?”
According to the stakeholders, “Established electoral principles require that an election be declared inconclusive only when the irregularities identified are capable of changing the final result. In this case, that condition has not been met.”
The stakeholders therefore called on NUTOS to: Clearly reference the specific electoral guideline that mandates inconclusiveness under these circumstances, or Respect the figures as announced and uphold the clear mandate already given by the voters.
In an official statement from NUTOS INCC 2026 Chairman, Ibrahim Adam Tilde, the National Union of Toro Students (NUTOS) Independent National Convention Committee (INCC) 2026 made official clarification to the public regarding the just concluded convention held today, 3rd of January 2025 at Dabo Hall, Toro Local Government Secretariat.
According to the statement, “Due to over voting in the presidential election, where 407 votes were recorded, exceeding the expected 368 votes, leaves the committee with no other options than to declare the election as inconclusive.”
The Chairman stated that, “However, be rest assured that all the due processes will be followed in order to thoroughly investigate the irregularity. We call upon the general public to disregard any information that is not coming from the committee as it is unofficial. Further information will be communicated in due time.”
Abdulhamid Salisu Galda, declared winner of NUTOS presidency
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