Bauchi State governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muhammad Abubakar has congratulated the governor-elect Bala Muhammed of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Abubakar in his congratulatory message said, “I wish to congratulate the Governor-elect of Bauchi State Senator Bala Mohammed. I congratulate my brother, Sen Bala on this victory at the polls.”

“I am delighted to note that in spite of the intensity of the campaigns in our dear state, a peaceful election took place without bloodshed.

“Let me, therefore, invite the Governor-elect to join me in working out the process of a smooth transition.”

“I sincerely thank the entire people of Bauchi state for their support to my administration and urge them to extend the same to the incoming administration.”

“I also urge governor-elect to caution his supporters to be law-abiding while celebrating since the period of campaigns is now over,” Abubakar said in a statement by his media aide, Ali Ali.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the governorship election in Bauchi State.

“I Professor Muhammed Kyari, having satisfied that I was the returning officer for the governorship election on March 10, 23 of March and concluded today 25 March 2019. Having satisfied with requirements of the law, Bala Muhammed of PDP has scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and he is return elected,” Kyari declared.

According to the State Returning Officer, Prof. Muhammed Kyari, the PDP candidate polled 515, 113 votes while his closest rival Governor Muhammad Abubakar of the APC polled 500,625.

Kyari said 2,462,843 voters were registered but 1, 143,019 were accredited to vote. He puts the valid votes at 1,111,406 and 22,566 votes were rejected.