By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
A coalition of opposition political parties in Bauchi State has announced a boycott of the local government elections scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, declaring the process a “kangaroo election” designed to favor the ruling party.
The position was made known on Sunday at a World Press Conference held at the NUJ Secretariat, Bauchi, and addressed by Dr. Ladan Salihu, Spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), National Office.
Ladan Salihu addressed the briefing on behalf of the ADC, AAC, SDP, PRP, and NNPP, noting that the Chairman of the APC was also expected to join the coalition, saying the parties had resolved to act jointly on the matter.
The coalition said the 2026 LG elections are being conducted under the 2008 Bauchi State Electoral Law as reflected in guidelines issued by BASIEC, the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission.
According to the Coalition, “This is in apparent contradiction to the 2026 Electoral Act from which BASIEC ultimately derives its own authority and power.. This has produced a weak and questionable legal framework and legal foundation for the conduct of these elections.”
It listed excessive nomination and administrative fees imposed by BASIEC as a major barrier, saying, “The duplication of nomination and administrative charges for the individual candidates, despite the fact that the entire exercise is funded by the state government from our Commonwealth, raises serious concerns… which appear designed to further weaken opposition parties financially.”
The coalition noted that the fees are in addition to campaign costs, transportation, accommodation, publicity, security, agents, and other logistics.
The Coalition also faulted the electoral timetable, describing it as “cumbersome and compressed.”
It said that BASIEC restricted party primaries to only two days, July 15 and 17, nomination form collection to July 22 to 24, and return of completed forms to July 27 to 29, 2026.
It stressed that, “This left parties only a few days to identify a candidate, complete the internal processes, and assemble all necessary and required documentation. Insufficient time was allowed for screening, appeals, correction of errors, substitution of candidates, and the resolution of internal disputes, coupled with an extremely limited campaign period.”
It further criticized the requirement that all forms be processed exclusively at BASIEC headquarters in Bauchi rather than at zonal or LGA levels, saying it imposed “needless additional transportation and administrative financial burdens.”
The coalition alleged that the arrangements were structured to guarantee victory for the ruling party., saying, “Everything is being predetermined to ensure that the ruling party gets a landslide… and sweeping victory in the so-called elections,”
It also expressed concern that “some opposition parties may have already been contacted, cajoled, or even induced financially to join the ranks” in order to create the appearance of broad participation.
The failure to establish a level playing field, he added, was a “fundamental obstacle to free and fair competition” given that the ruling party controls government machinery and public resources while opposition parties depend on voluntary contributions.
In light of the issues raised, the coalition announced that it would not participate in the polls declaring, “Our decision not to participate under the present arrangement must not be mistaken for weakness or withdrawal from a democratic process.”
“It is a principled and deliberate rejection of political manipulation, financial exclusion, and an electoral process that does not guarantee free, fair, and credible election,” It said.
The Coalition stressed, “Rather than commit our members’ hard-earned but meager resources to an arrangement we consider unfair and unjustifiable, we believe our resources are better channeled toward mobilization and building stronger party structures.”
The coalition called for the immediate postponement of the election until the impediments are addressed and a “generous and genuine level playing field” is provided by BASIEC.
“We hereby announce our resolve, as opposition political parties, to boycott what we consider a kangaroo election. We will reconsider our position and participate only if these hurdles and restrictions are lifted,” It said.
The Coalition warned that, “should the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission fail to do so, we will be left with no option but to take whatever further action we deem 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.
As of press time, BASIEC had not issued a response to the allegations.
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