From our correspondent, in Gombe
The Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has sworn-in the 11 newly elected Local Government Councils Chairpersons at a ceremony held on Monday in the Government House, Gombe.
The swearing-in ceremony followed the declaration of winners in the election held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) securing victory in all 11 Chairmanship and 114 Councillorship Seats contested.
Delivering his speech shortly after performing the the inauguration exercise, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the election that produced the new leadership of the local governments was in line with the provisions of Section 79, sub-sections (3) and (4) of the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC) and Electoral (Amendment) Law 2011.
A statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, the Director General, Press Affairs to the governor, cited him to have described the conduct of the election across the state as reflecting his administration’s commitment to advance democratic principles at the state level.
This, he said, guarantees citizens the chance to elect their leaders in conformity with the law.
“Today’s event marks a significant milestone in our democratic journey, thus reaffirming our commitment to the principles of good governance and participatory democracy. The local government election where the citizens got the chance to elect their leaders even at the lower level of governance in conformity with the law, demonstrated the commitment of this administration to advancing democracy”, the Governor said.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya charged the new LG helmsmen to approach their new responsibilities with fear of God, honesty and accountability, further urging them to bear great responsibility in promoting the wellbeing, peace and prosperity of the common man through responsive leadership.
“Let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly sworn-in Local Government chairpersons on their well-deserved victory in the recently conducted local government council elections. Your election is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of your various local governments and the entire Gombe State have placed in our great party and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR”, the Governor remarked.
“As Local Government chairpersons, you are the closest to the grassroots. Thus, you bear great responsibility in promoting the wellbeing, peace and prosperity of the common man through responsive leadership. Your actions and decisions shall be guided by the collective interests of your constituents. I urge you to repay the confidence reposed in you, and to approach your job with fear of God, honesty and accountability”, he further remarked.
The Governor further implored them to extend the hands of friendship and collaboration to all people, irrespective of partisan, ethnic, religious and sectarian differences, urging them to set aside political differences and work together for the collective good of their people.
He urged them to prioritize promotion of peaceful coexistence, saying it was necessary for them to foster closer collaboration and cooperation with security agencies, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders in order to bolster security measures that will enhance intelligence-gathering efforts and effective performance of law enforcement agencies.
Governor Inuwa maintained that since 2019, the success of his administration was built on the strong foundation of collaboration and partnership with the local government areas through innovative partnerships like the Joint Projects Development Agency which the administration use funds from the partnership to execute various developmental projects that are aimed at uplifting the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The Governor used the occasion to commend the State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC), security agencies, civil society organizations and indeed the general public for ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections, acknowledging that their commitment to the democratic process has contributed to the success of the elections, thus strengthening democracy.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Staff, Government House Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Inuwa Kari, thanked the Governor for providing a level playing field for all parties and citizens of Gombe State to exercise their constitutional franchise, ensuring fair, credible, and rancour-free elections.
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in local government chairpersons, Hon. Fatima Binta Bello, expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in them by the Governor, and to the people for entrusting them with the responsibility of spearheading the affairs of their respective local governments, saying “we consider this opportunity a chance to serve our people with all sense of duty and sincerity.
The newly sworn-in chairpersons are: Danladi Adamu – Akko; Ibrahim Salisu – Balanga; Eglah Idris – Billiri; Adamu Muhammad Waziri – Dukku; Shu’aibu Abdularahman – Funakaye; Sani Ahmed Haruna – Gombe; Iliya Sulaiman – Kaltungo; Ahmed Wali Doho – Kwami; Babangida Adamu Jigawa – Nafada; Fatima Binta Bello – Shongom and; Abubakar Hassan Deba- Yamaltu Deba.
