Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has hailed the recent victory of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the local government elections as a significant indicator of the ruling party's strength and a stark warning to opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. This statement was made during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected local government chairmen at the Government House in Bauchi on Tuesday.

Governor Mohammed congratulated the newly elected officials, asserting that their success reflects the people’s approval of his administration's policies and programs. He noted that the APM, despite being a relatively new and smaller political entity compared to the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has emerged as a formidable force in the political landscape of the state.

"The recent election has shown that the APM is a formidable political platform. Indeed, this local government election is a warning signal and a daunting task to the opposition parties. They do not stand a chance of making any impact during the 2027 elections," Mohammed stated, emphasizing the need for the opposition to recognize the achievements of his administration.

The governor highlighted various accomplishments under his leadership, including advancements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture. He detailed initiatives such as road construction and rehabilitation, expansion of healthcare facilities, and educational renovations as evidence of his government’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy across the state.

In his address, Mohammed urged the newly elected chairmen to justify the trust placed in them by the electorate, warning against mismanagement of public funds. He stressed that local government administration should focus on effective governance rather than merely distributing financial resources. "The position of the local government is no longer a cash drawer where we go and share money. We go there to face challenges because the required human capacity, trust and confidence of the people must be earned," he remarked.

He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between local government officials, traditional rulers, and security agencies to maintain peace and security in their councils. The governor encouraged the chairmen to promptly report any security threats to the relevant authorities.

Additionally, Mohammed called on the newly appointed special advisers to take immediate action, highlighting that their performance will be evaluated based on their impact during their tenure. He assured them that the state government would provide the necessary resources to support their efforts.

The governor reiterated his administration's commitment to monitoring the performance of local government officials and ensuring transparency in governance. He noted that the recent local government elections marked the third such polls conducted by his administration since 2019, with the APM winning all 20 chairmanship positions and 319 councillorship seats in the latest elections, further solidifying its dominance in Bauchi politics.