Bauchi: We’re Committed To Conduct Of Local Councils Polls – Governor Mohammed Says
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Sunday reiterated the commitment of his administration to conducting Local Government Councils election as soon as the coast is clear to do so.
Governor Mohammed declared as unconstitutional and undemocratic the appointment of Caretaker Committees for Local Government Areas, adding however that a development is a child of necessity.
Mohammed, who stated these while swearing in four Caretaker Committee Chairmen, said that the planned Local Government Councils election earlier scheduled for June will still hold before the end of 2020.
The four Caretaker Committee sworn-in were those of Darazo, Kirfi, Ningi and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas.
He said that if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, Local Government Councils election would have been held in June as planned.
The governor said; “We have concluded every logistical preparations for the conduct of the exercise before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
“Today, we are swearing you in as Caretaker Chairmen because of the situation we found ourselves in, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Let me reassure that as soon as possible we will go ahead with the process of conducting the Councils elections”.
Mohammed told the Caretaker Chairmen that they were selected to replace some who resigned due to personal reasons as well as those who were found wanting and were removed from office.
He therefore warned saying; “All of them are close to me but we have to act according to the laws. Governance is not about Bala Mohammed, it is about doing the right thing as enshrined in the Local Government administration enabling law”.
Mohammed further warned the Caretaker Chairmen to ensure that they work with the stakeholders in their respective areas in order to take development to the grassroots, stressing that laxity and other forms of indolence will not be tolerated.
The governor directed the Caretaker Committee Chairman to continue with the sensitization on the preventive protocol of COVID-19 pandemic.
In his words; “I have released money for you to produce face masks which will be distributed to the people. Ensure that you engaged local tailors in your respective areas so that it will serve as a source of income for them”.
Mohammed the State House of Assembly for always acting speedily to communication from the Executive irrespective of the political party differences saying it has demonstrated that the state is more important than any individual.
