Bauchi Electoral Commission Chairman, Ahmed Hardawa, Dies After Brief Illness

Ahmed Makama Hardawa, Chairman of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), has died following a brief illness.

He passed away on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Abuja, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.

The announcement was made by Mukhtar Gidado, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Bala Mohammed, who expressed deep sorrow over the loss of what he described as a distinguished statesman and patriotic Nigerian.

In the statement, Governor Mohammed praised the late Hardawa for his integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to public service.

“He was a man of wisdom and exemplary leadership, whose contributions to democratic governance in Bauchi State and beyond will not be forgotten,” the governor said.

Before his appointment as BASIEC Chairman, Hardawa served as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Taraba and Nasarawa States, where he was widely respected for his fairness and dedication to credible electoral processes.

As BASIEC Chairman, Hardawa was instrumental in strengthening democracy at the grassroots, championing transparent and lawful electoral practices that earned him the respect of political actors and citizens alike.

Governor Mohammed extended condolences to the deceased’s immediate family, the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission, and the people of Hardawa and Misau Emirate Councils, describing Hardawa’s death as a significant loss at a critical point in Nigeria’s democratic development.

The governor offered prayers for Allah’s mercy, asking that the late public servant be granted eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus and that his family be given the strength to endure the loss.

The funeral prayer (Janazah) for Alhaji Ahmed Makama Hardawa is scheduled to take place today, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Emir’s Palace, Bauchi.