CSO Coalition Declares Situation Room Open Ahead of Garki & Babura Bye-Election
By Abdulhamid Sani
Dutse, Jigawa State – August 15, 2025 — The Civil Society Coalition on Security, Peace & Conflict Resolution has officially declared its Civil Society Situation Room open for operations, as preparations intensify for the Garki and Babura Federal Constituency bye-election scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Speaking during a press briefing in Dutse, National President of the Coalition, Muhammad Musbahu Basirka, said the Situation Room will be active from August 15 to 17, 2025, to monitor developments before, during, and after the polls. The initiative, he explained, aims to ensure the electoral process is free, fair, transparent, and devoid of violence.
Basirka stressed that the bye-election is more than just a political exercise, describing it as “an opportunity for the people to choose a representative who will defend their interests and work for their future.”
“Our role as the Civil Society Situation Room is simple but critical: promote transparency, encourage peaceful participation, and work with all stakeholders to protect the integrity of the process,” he said.
The Coalition urged candidates, party supporters, security agencies, traditional leaders, and community influencers to prioritise peace above all else, warning that elections should be contests of ideas, not confrontations marred by intimidation or violence.
Basirka also called on voters to turn out in large numbers without fear, adding that democracy must be safeguarded beyond election day. He reminded citizens that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will commence on August 18, 2025, offering young people, first-time voters, and those who have relocated the opportunity to register or update their information.
On the campaign front, Basirka urged the two main candidates – Alhaji Rabi’u Mukhtar of the APC, Auwalu Isah Manzo of the PDP and Salisu Garki of NNPP to focus their messages on pressing community needs, including:
Job creation and economic empowerment
Access to quality healthcare and education
Improved security and peaceful coexistence
Infrastructure and grassroots development
Reiterating the Coalition’s message for the election, Basirka stated:
- “Vote peacefully.”
- “Speak with your ballot.”
- “Respect each other’s choices.”
He concluded by expressing hope that the Garki and Babura bye-election will be remembered as a milestone for unity, hope, and peaceful democratic participation in Jigawa State.
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