BAUCHI: The Majority Leader of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Saleh Hodi, has resigned his seat as the lawmaker representing Disina Constituency to contest the forthcoming Shira Local Government chairmanship election.
Hodi’s resignation was announced by the Speaker of the Assembly, Abubakar Sulaiman, during plenary in Bauchi on Wednesday.
According to the Speaker, the House received a formal letter from Hodi informing members of his decision to vacate his seat after emerging as the Allied People’s Movement (APM) candidate for the Shira Local Government chairmanship election.
Hodi, who was first elected into the Assembly in 2019, used his farewell remarks to appreciate the Speaker, fellow lawmakers and his constituents for their support throughout his tenure.
He also thanked political stakeholders in Shira Local Government and Governor Bala Mohammed for the confidence reposed in him.
The former Majority Leader expressed optimism about his next political assignment, promising to work toward meeting the expectations of residents of Shira Local Government if elected chairman.
Following Hodi’s resignation, the Assembly Speaker announced Auwal Yana, who represents the constituency, as the new Majority Leader.
According to Sulaiman, Yana’s emergence followed a meeting of the APM Executive Council convened to fill the leadership vacancy created by Hodi’s departure.
The Speaker also praised Hodi for his contributions to the Assembly, describing their relationship as one that went beyond legislative responsibilities.
Other lawmakers similarly commended the former Majority Leader for his dedication, patience and service, while wishing him success in the forthcoming local government election.
Yana, in his acceptance speech, expressed appreciation to God, party stakeholders and Governor Mohammed for the confidence placed in him.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) has fixed August 17, 2026, for local government elections across the state.
The commission said chairmanship elections would be conducted in 19 of the state’s 20 local government areas, while councillorship elections would hold across all 20 LGAs.
BASIEC Information Officer, Ishiyaku Adamu, said the notice complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 requiring election notices to be issued at least 360 days before the scheduled election.
The commission also referenced a February 20, 2025 Supreme Court judgment on Rivers State, which it said established a binding standard for state electoral bodies.
BASIEC said Governor Bala Mohammed had approved the election process and directed the commission to comply with the applicable legal requirements.
