Governor Abdullahi Sule has charged newly inaugurated local government chairmen to close the gaps in development, especially with the substantial percentage of the population residing at the grassroots.

Governor Sule laid the charge shortly after swearing in the 13 newly elected local government chairmen at a colourful ceremony at the Government House on Monday.

The Governor tasked the council chairmen to initiate policies and projects tailored towards closing existing development gaps that had existed over the years, putting into consideration the peculiarity of their domains.

“The third tier of government must close the developmental gap at the grassroots, considering the substantial percentage of the population of our people at the grassroots level. I therefore, behoove on you as chairmen of the local government councils to come put with policies and projects taking into account the peculiarity of your local government area in order to close the gap that existed over the years,” he said.

Having barely signed the new Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2024, he expressed optimism that with the full autonomy granted the councils, the chairmen will enhance development at the grassroots.

“Let me state that with the autonomy, we are optimistic that the operation of the local government council will be greatly enhanced and development will take its cause at the grassroots.

“You must, as local government chairman, take the opportunity to bring dividends of democracy to the grassroots. I am hopeful that with the improved resources, that will be coming to the councils from the federation account, the local government will have the wherewithal to execute programmes and projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people at the grassroots,” he stated.

While congratulating the chairmen, their deputies, as well as the 147 councillors, Governor Sule called on the new council officials to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate by turning around the fortunes of their respective local government areas.

“You must uphold the virtues of this administration anchored on the principles of transparency, accountability, probity and above all, prudence in the management of public resources,” he said.

He used the opportunity of the event to emphasize the need for peaceful coexistence across the state, noting that without peace all the efforts of the administration for a prosperous Nasarawa State would be in vein.

“As you are aware, without peace, all our efforts for prosperous Nasarawa State will be in vein. You must as chief security of your respective local government areas, engender peace in all ramifications. This is the only thing we can not compromise,” he added.

The Governor pointed out that the swearing in of new council chairmen twice under his administration since assumption of office in 2019, is a testament of the avowal to continue to provide good governance to the people of the state.

He commended the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission under the chairmanship of Barrister Ayuba Usman Wandai for conducting the most relatively freest and fairest local government election in the state.

“The Commission has indeed, justified the confidence Government and people of Nasarawa State reposed in it by ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections in the state, in line with the appropriate guidelines and rules of engagement,” he stated.

He described the Saturday 2nd November election as one of the most transparent and most peaceful elections in the political history of Nasarawa State.

He thanked all those that attended the swearing in ceremony, including the array of party supporters, relatives, friends, associates, other stakeholders, traditional, religious and community leaders for their continued support and solidarity with his administration in the collective commitment to provide good governance, particularly at the third tier of government.

The Governor equally commended the efforts of the security agencies for ensuring the peaceful conduct of the election, particularly with the deployment of adequate personnel in the maintenance of law and order, before, during and after the elections.

Earlier, in an opening remarks, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu, said with the swearing in of 13 chairmen all belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC), history has repeated itself, affirming the peoples recognition of the commitment of the Governor Sule administration and achievements, as well as their unwavering believe in the ruling party.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman of Lafia Local Government Area, Mohammed Haliru Arabo, appreciated the Governor, stakeholders, and all residents of the state for the confidence reposed in them to serve for the next three years.

The chairmen inaugurated at the event are Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha – Akwanga LGA, Hon. Umar Abubakar Dan’ Akano – Awe LGA, Hon. Jonathan Okuba Addra – Doma LGA, Barr. Abubakar Aliyu Madaki – Karu LGA, Hon. Adamu Aboki Usman – Keana LGA, Hon. Dr. Idris Ahmed Danmagani – Keffi LGA.

Others are Hon. Agbawu Mek Agbawu – Kokona LGA, Hon. Mohammed Arabo Haliru – Lafia LGA, Hon. Mohammed Hassan Ahmed – Nasarawa LGA, Barr. Iliya Ibn Aliyu – Nasarawa Eggon LGA, Hon. Mohammed Isa KK – Obi LGA, Pharm. Ahmed Baba Yahaya – Toto LGA, and Hon. Ezekiel Musa Jagga – Wamba LGA.

Dignitaries that witnessed the event include the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, State Chief Judge, Aisha Bashir Aliyu, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad amongst others.