Adamawa: ADSIEC warns newly elected council Chairmen against self-enrichment

By Musa Baba Adamu with agency report

The Chairman of the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC), Mohammed Umar, has cautioned newly elected local government chairmen in the state against using public office for personal gain, urging them to prioritise service to the people.
Umar gave the charge on Wednesday in Yola while presenting Certificates of Return to the 21 elected local government council chairmen and their deputies following the June 13 council elections.
According to him, the victory secured at the polls should be seen as a mandate for selfless leadership and community development rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment.
“The Certificates of Return being presented today are not merely documents; they represent the trust and confidence reposed in you by the electorate,” he said.
He reminded the chairmen-elect that the expectations of citizens were high and called on them to govern with integrity, accountability, transparency and fairness.
“The expectations of the people are high, and the challenges before our communities require visionary leadership, inclusiveness, transparency and genuine commitment to sustainable development,” Umar added.
The ADSIEC chairman described the presentation ceremony as the culmination of a critical democratic process, saying it reflected the will of the people and the strength of grassroots democracy in the state.
He also commended electoral officials, security agencies, political parties, election observers and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring a peaceful and credible local government election.
Responding on behalf of the elected officials, the Chairman-elect of Michika Local Government Area, Paul Tumba, expressed appreciation to ADSIEC for conducting the election successfully.
Tumba pledged that the newly elected council leaders would justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate and work towards improving the welfare of their respective communities.
The June 13 local government election produced chairmen and vice-chairmen across the 21 local government areas of Adamawa State.