The Majority Leader of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Saleh Hodi Jibir, has resigned his seat to contest the chairmanship of Shira Local Government Area in the forthcoming council elections.

Jibir, who represented Disina Constituency, announced his resignation during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Abubakar Y. Suleiman. He had served as a lawmaker since his election on March 23, 2023, and held the position of Majority Leader for three years following the Assembly’s formal inauguration that same year.

Speaker Suleiman told the House that it had received a formal letter from Jibir notifying members of his decision to relinquish his seat. The resignation followed the Allied People’s Movement’s (APM) decision to nominate Jibir as its candidate for the Shira Local Government chairmanship election.

In his farewell address, the former Majority Leader expressed gratitude to stakeholders in Shira for selecting him as their candidate and thanked Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged that if elected chairman of Shira Local Government, he would work diligently to surpass the people’s expectations.

“My experience in this House has been memorable, and I’m grateful for the opportunity given to me to serve my constituents and contribute to the development of Bauchi State,” Jibir said. “I appreciate the confidence reposed in me by the people of Disina, the stakeholders in Shira and His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed.”

Speaker Suleiman described his relationship with Jibir as extending beyond parliamentary colleagues, noting they had worked together since the Ninth Assembly and developed a bond comparable to that of biological brothers. “Our relationship has gone beyond that of colleagues to that of family,” Suleiman said. “We’ve treated one another like biological brothers, and I appreciate your contributions to this House.”

Other lawmakers paid tribute to the outgoing Majority Leader, describing him as a patient, dedicated and selfless leader whose contributions earned him respect and admiration.

Following Jibir’s resignation, the APM nominated Auwal Hassan Yana, representing Shira Constituency, as the new Majority Leader. The House subsequently approved both the resignation and Yana’s emergence as successor.

In his acceptance speech, Yana thanked God, party stakeholders and Governor Mohammed for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to emulate the leadership qualities of his predecessor and appealed to colleagues for guidance and support as he assumed his new responsibility.

The Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed August 17, 2026, for local government elections across the state.