The Acting Chairman of Shira Local Government Area in Bauchi State, Alhaji Wali Adamu, has passed away—just days before a scheduled by-election to fill the leadership vacuum in the council.
Adamu died on Sunday at the Federal Medical Centre in Azare, located in the Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State, after a brief illness.
He was appointed Acting Chairman following the removal of the former chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Beli, and his deputy, Hon. Usman Adamu, by the Shira Legislative Council on March 3, 2025. The duo were dismissed over allegations of gross misconduct, financial mismanagement, dereliction of duty, and abuse of office.
Before his appointment, Wali served as the Councillor representing Tumfafi Ward, where he also held the position of Leader of the Council.
His death was confirmed in a press statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Bauchi State Governor, Mukhtar Gidado.
Governor Bala Mohammed, in his condolence message, described the late Acting Chairman as a dedicated public servant whose efforts toward the progress of Shira Local Government and Bauchi State at large would be fondly remembered.
“Governor Bala Mohammed, on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State, extends his deepest condolences to the immediate family of Alhaji Wali Adamu, the Katagum Emirate Council, and all citizens of the state over this great loss,” the statement read.
The government also urged well-wishers to remember the late chairman’s family in their prayers during this difficult time. The governor prayed for Almighty Allah to grant him Jannatul Firdaus and give his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
Wali’s death comes just 13 days before the scheduled by-election to elect a new chairman and deputy chairman for Shira Local Government Area.
The Chairman of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), Mr. Ahmed Makama, recently told journalists that the commission is fully prepared to conduct the by-election on May 24, 2025.
BASIEC had earlier conducted local government elections in August 2024, during which chairmen and their deputies were elected across all 20 LGAs in the state.
