From Nasir Shuaibu, BAUCHI
The Allied People's Movement (APM) in Bauchi State has defended its performance in the recent State House of Assembly bye-elections, insisting that the party remains electorally strong despite losing one of the two contested seats.
The party's Publicity Secretary, Hon. Abdulshakur Danlami, said APM's victory in Sakwa constituency, Zaki Local Government Area, and its narrow defeat in Disina constituency, Shira Local Government Area, demonstrated its competitiveness ahead of forthcoming elections.
Speaking during an interview with journalists in his office on Wednesday, Danlami said APM won Sakwa by more than 4,000 votes, while it lost Disina to the All Progressives Congress (APC) by a margin of about 600 votes.
He attributed the party's defeat in Disina partly to internal challenges but maintained that its performance in both constituencies was encouraging.
“The gap between APM and APC, which came second, is more than 4,000 votes. The gap between APC and APM in Disina, where our loss was as a result of some of our internal party issues, is just 600 votes,” he said.
Danlami argued that the results showed APM's ability to win convincingly in areas where it enjoyed strong support, while acknowledging that electoral outcomes could vary from one constituency to another.
The outcome came after APM's reported sweeping victory in the local government elections, in which the party secured chairmanship positions across the state's 20 local government areas.
Asked why APM failed to win both Assembly seats despite its performance in the local government polls, Danlami said election results depended on voters' preferences and the prevailing political circumstances.
He noted that political fortunes could change between elections, stressing that past victories did not automatically guarantee future success.
The APM spokesman also dismissed suggestions that the party was engaged in an intense rivalry with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), maintaining that the APC was its main contender based on the recent bye-election results.
According to him, APM came second to APC in both constituencies where it did not win, making the ruling party its closest rival in the contests.
Danlami expressed optimism about APM's future electoral prospects, saying the party would continue to build on its performance and address internal challenges that could affect its chances in subsequent elections.
He also assured that the party would maintain discipline in its relationship with voters, rejecting suggestions that APM would engage in what has been described as “stomachocracy” the use of food, gifts or material inducements to influence voters.
When asked whether APM would distribute food items or make material promises to secure votes, Danlami questioned whether the allegation originated from a member of his party.
He subsequently described APM as a disciplined political organisation, saying its discipline extended beyond internal party arrangements to its relationship with the electorate.
The spokesman maintained that APM would continue to rely on its political organisation and electoral support as it prepares for forthcoming polls.
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