Al-Makura swears in 10 elected chairmen

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa state yesterday sworn-in the ten council chairmen elected in last Saturday’s local government election in the state with a charge on them eschew all forms of corruption in the discharge of their functions.

At the inaugural ceremony which held at the Lafia Government House, Al-makura who noted that the conduct of the election has clearly demonstrated his administration’s commitment to the adherence to due process and democratic culture, maintained that the exercise marked the end of processes for the full take-off of government activities at the local government level.

The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) had declared results of ten local government area out of which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), won 6, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner in 4 council areas of Keana, Keffi, Nasarawa-Eggon and Kokona.

Al-makura assured that his government would provide an enabling environment for the chairmen to effectively deliver the much needed dividends of democracy at the third tier of government by giving them a free hand to perform their functions devoid of party affiliation.

The governor, however, charged the new chairmen to exhibit high sense of fairness, accountability and fear of God in the discharge of their responsibility, just as he called on the people of the state to accord them the necessarily support to enable them deliver on their mandate.

Interim state party chairman, Arc Stanley Buba, stated this yesterday during a press briefing at the secretariat of the party.

He maintained that unlike what obtained in other states, where the ruling party mostly declares results in their favor, Al-makura conducted a free and fair council poll, with even the opposition winning four council areas.

While thanking the government and people of the state for conducting and participating in the exercise, Buba hailed APC supporters across the state for doing the party proud, adding however that the party will study the released results carefully to see whether it would challenge it at the election tribunal.