Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said his administration will soon decide a date for local government elections.
The governor made this known during a valedictory dinner organized in honour of the outgoing local government caretaker chairmen, following the expiration of their tenure on 31 December, 2023.
The governor said “Elections are ingredients of true democracy, we shall announce a date for our local governments election, anyone interested is free to contest”.
Governor Yahaya expressed optimism that the ruling All Progressives Congress will emerge victorious at the polls.
“It’s just the normal election, nothing new, we are confident that we still have our people’s mandate, we are not afraid of going to polls even if it is tomorrow, we shall emerge victorious by God’s grace” the governor boast.
He appreciated the former caretaker chairmen for diligent service to their people and the state, maintaining that they are still one family.
He said before his coming on board as governor, the state had to borrow 1.3 billion Naira every month before it can pay local government salaries.
“But with careful and prudent management of resources, just two months after, we put measures in place to end the trend. And since then, we are able to timely pay salaries without any borrowing. As I’m talking to you now, our local governments have not less than 6.2 billion Naira in their coffers”, the governor said.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development Abdulƙadir Muhammad Waziri, commended the former caretaker chairmen for diligent service.
Presenting the vote of thanks on behalf of the outgoing chairman, the Former Akko Local Government Caretaker Chairman Hon Abubakar Barambu, appreciated Governor Inuwa Yahaya for giving them the opportunity to serve their people in that capacity.
While commending the governor for his examplary leadership style, the former chairmen assured him of their unalloyed loyalty and support to policies and programs of his administration.
Awards of excellence were presented to the former caretaker chairmen in appreciation of their meritorious services.