Jigawa By-election: Tinubu's Minister Rubbishes Claim Of Losing Polling Unit as APC Defeats PDP

• Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has reacted to report of losing his polling unit to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
• Badaru said those circulating the fake report are mischief makers as he delivered his polling unit to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)
• The minister's media aide, Mati Ali, shared the authentic result, as duly released by INEC and announced by the Returning Officer

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

Jigawa state - Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has debunked report claiming his lost his polling units during the Garki/Babura federal constituency by-election in Jigawa state.

There have been reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at Badaru's polling unit on Saturday, August 17, 2025.

According to circulating reports the PDP secured 308 votes while the APC, to which the minister belongs, polled 112 at polling unit 001, located at Babura Kofar Arewa Primary School.

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Reacting to the reports, Badaru's media aide, Mati Ali, said mischief makers mischievously linked the minister to PU 001 while his PU is 002.

Ali made this known in a statement made available to Legit.ng on Sunday, August 17, 2025.

The minister's aide described report that Badaru lost his polling unit as "false, untrue, and deliberately misleading."

He said APC polled 188 votes while the PDP got 164 votes in the authentic result duly released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Honourable Minister’s actual polling unit is Babura Kofar Arewa Primary School Polling Unit 002, where His Excellency personally cast his vote.

“The authentic result, as duly released by INEC and announced by the Returning Officer, is as follows: APC: 188 votes, PDP: 164 votes

“This official result confirms that the Honourable Minister secured a clear and convincing victory in his polling unit in favour of the APC.

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“We reaffirm that at Babura Arewa Primary School Polling Unit 002, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar emerged victorious during the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency by-election held on Saturday, 17th August, 2025."

He called on the media to disregard the false reports in circulation and rely on the authentic results as declared by INEC.

Meanwhile, INEC has declared the APC candidate, Mukhtar Rabiu as the winner of the Garki/Babura federal constituency bye-election.

The Returning Officer of the election, Prof. Isma’il Ibrahim, said the APC candidate got 38,449 votes, PDP Candidate, Isah Auwalu Manzo polled 13,519 while the NNPP Candidate, Sabo Salisu had 2931 votes.

Legit.ng gathers that officials and observers said the by-election in the Garki-Babura federal constituency was peaceful.

“The election went well without any issue,” Ibrahim Shehu, the polling officer at Badaru’s unit, was quoted as saying.

Jigawa by-election: Minister speaks

At another polling centre, Primary Yamma (005), the minister of state for education, Suwaiba Ahmad, praised the orderly conduct of the exercise and expressed confidence that the APC would eventually prevail in the wider contest, though he also allegedly lost his polling unit.

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Residents in some parts of the constituency continued with their normal activities as shops remained open, though election officials reported relatively high voter turnout across most polling units.

Legit.ng notes that despite the ministers' reported defeats in their polling units, the APC candidate, Rabiu Mukhtar, won the by-election. According to Premium Times, INEC's returning officer, Sani Ismail, announced the results in the Babura local government collation centre on Sunday morning, August 17.

Ismail, a professor, said Mukhtar polled 38,449 votes to defeat his main rival, Isah Auwalu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 13,519 votes.

Jigawa by-election results: Analyst speaks

Reacting, a political analyst familiar with the dynamics of Jigawa politics described the results as a "confirmation of the defence minister's political irrelevance"

“This is clear that Badaru, whilst serving in the government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as minister of defence, has his men, who were seen jubilating after the results were announced in the ward, working for the opposition. This means his men are comfortable in the PDP, working hard against the APC government," the analyst who spoke anonymously said.

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“It took the intervention of the state governor, who is seen to be performing in terms of project delivery to the masses and improved welfare for all, to rescue the situation and save the APC from total disgrace,” he added.

Abubakar has been under pressure to resign as minister over his alleged inability to add value to the party either in Jigawa state, the Northwest and nationally.

INEC declares Rep member Dogonyaro’s seat vacant

Legit.ng earlier reported that the seat of the late Honourable Isa Dogonyaro, representing Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa state, was declared vacant.

Dogonyaro, elected on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, died on Friday, May 10, in Abuja, after a brief illness.

INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission would announce a date for a by-election.

Source: Legit.ng