The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, on Sunday refuted news about the electoral loss of the All Progressives Congress at his polling unit, Babura Kofar Arewa Polling Unit 001, during the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency by-election held on Saturday, August 17, 2025.
In a statement signed by the personal assistant on media and publicity to the minister, Mati Ali, the report was described as “false, untrue, and deliberately misleading,” insisting that it was the handiwork of mischief makers intent on distorting facts and tarnishing the minister’s image.
He said, “Our attention has been drawn to the circulation of an election result from Babura Kofar Arewa Polling Unit 001, mischievously attributed to the Honourable Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni. This claim is false, untrue, and deliberately misleading.
“We wish to categorically state that the report is nothing but the handiwork of mischief makers seeking to distort facts and tarnish the good image of the Honourable Minister.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Honourable Minister’s actual polling unit is Babura Kofar Arewa Primary School Polling Unit 002, where His Excellency personally cast his vote. The authentic result, as duly released by INEC and announced by the Returning Officer, is as follows: APC: 188 votes; PDP: 164 votes.
“This official result confirms that the Honourable Minister secured a clear and convincing victory in his polling unit in favour of the APC.
“Accordingly, we reaffirm that at Babura Arewa Primary School Polling Unit 002, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar emerged victorious during the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency by-election held on Saturday, 17th August, 2025.”
The Defence Minister’s office therefore, urged party members, the media, and the general public to disregard false reports and rely solely on the official results declared by INEC.
