According to the statement, Governor Bala Mohammed approved the public holiday following the decision of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) to conduct elections into the 20 local government councils across the state on Monday.

The government said the work-free day is intended to give eligible voters the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote without being hindered by official duties.

The directive applies to workers at the local, state and federal levels serving in Bauchi State, as well as employees of banks and other public institutions operating in the state.

However, workers providing essential services have been exempted from the holiday.

The state government urged residents to come out peacefully and participate in the election, stressing the need for responsible conduct before, during and after the exercise.

It also assured citizens that the relevant authorities would work together to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process, while calling on the public to cooperate with security agencies and electoral officials throughout the election period.

Melaye, who spoke about the political landscape of Nigeria, said the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is a nationalist.
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He acknowledged that his comments might sound awkward or offensive but maintained that his position was based on his assessment of Nigerian politics.

“Atiku is a nationalist. Obi is a regional champion. It may sound awkward. It may sound offensive but Obi is a good man and he’s my friend. I have respect for him but he’s a regional champion and no regional champion in this country will ever be president,” he said.

The former lawmaker also cited the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as an example, describing him as a brilliant and exceptional leader but arguing that his regional political identity affected his presidential ambitions.

“Awolowo, fantastic man, brilliant, exquisite, cosmopolitan, leader par excellence but he was a regional champion. He contested for the presidency of this country, he could only win convincingly only in the Southwest, because he’s not a nationalist in that regard of politics,” Melaye added.

He questioned Adeleke’s academic history, claiming that the governor obtained the equivalent of a GED after previously serving as a Nigerian senator.

“The real arindin is your uncle, @AAdeleke_01, who had to go back and obtain the equivalent of a GED after he had already served as a Nigerian Senator,” Sowore said.

Sowore also alleged that the governor supported President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, claiming the move was aimed at protecting the Adeleke family’s political interests in Osun State.

“The real arindin is your uncle who chose @officialABAT as his presidential candidate, apparently hoping that imbecilic political loyalty would allow your family to continue treating Osun State as a private estate to finance your extravagant lifestyle,” he added.