Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has urged opposition parties to focus on building grassroots support rather than relying on federal backing to achieve electoral success. Speaking after casting his vote at the Model Central Primary School in Alkaleri Local Government Area during the ongoing local government elections, Mohammed declared that the era of political imposition in Nigeria is over.

In his remarks, the governor highlighted recent electoral outcomes, particularly the Osun State governorship election, as evidence that federal influence does not guarantee victory. He criticized the decision of some opposition parties to boycott the council polls, suggesting that this was a tactical error. "If they had listened to me, my advice was that they should have gone ahead to test their popularity," he stated.

Mohammed emphasized that sitting out elections in hopes of receiving support from the Federal Government is misguided. He pointed to President Bola Tinubu's democratic approach as a clear indication that the political landscape has shifted towards valuing voter engagement. "You have seen what happened in Osun; the people voted, and their votes counted. People should know that there is no person that is going to install them—there is no monarchy here. It is democratic governance," he remarked.

The governor's comments come at a time when many political parties are re-evaluating their strategies in light of changing voter sentiments. He called on all political candidates to actively participate in the electoral process and connect with the electorate, reinforcing the notion that true democratic success stems from engaging directly with the people.

Furthermore, Mohammed reiterated his administration's commitment to ensuring an open, credible, and competitive electoral process in Bauchi State, aiming to strengthen the democratic framework and encourage wider participation among voters. His statements reflect a growing sentiment among political leaders that the future of elections in Nigeria will depend heavily on the ability of candidates to resonate with the electorate rather than relying on external influences or federal support.