Newly elected chairmen in Saturday’s election in Kano State were sworn in on Sunday.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) swept all the 44 local government chairmanship seats and 484 councillorship seats in the council polls, according to the result released by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).
The Chairman of Tudun Wada Local Government area, Sa’adatu Salisu, is the only female among those sworn in.
Kano Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Bar. Haruna Isa Dederi, administered the oath of office on the chairmen at the African House of the Government House, Kano.
The Chairman of Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Sani Lawal Malumfashi, issued the certificates of return to the chairmen, saying the certificate certified them to be legitimate leaders of their local government areas, respectively.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Abba Yusuf emphasised the importance of the election which he said is in conformity with the Supreme Court judgment affirming the financial autonomy of the 774 Local Government Councils.
He charged the newly elected chairmen to assume office with immediate effect and hit the ground running by discharging their duties effectively and efficiently to deliver the trust reposed on them by the electorate.
He admonished them to lead with fear of Allah and be guided by the oath of office they sworn to as they will give account of their actions and inactions before their creator in the hereafter.
“As you may be all aware, in July, this year, the Supreme Court of Nigeria had delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of all the 774 local government councils in the country as a committed proponent of democracy and the rule of law.
“Our administration in the state immediately swung into action by activating the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC for the conduct of the local government polls as guided by the extant law and also proceeded with the dissolution of the Interim Management Committee.
“You may equally recall, when this administration took the mantle of leadership of the state, we resisted the temptation to dissolve the then existing local government council that we inherited, even though all of them were from the opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC). Not only did we preserve them, we never denied them any of their entitlements.
“Today, we have 44 duly elected chairmen across the local government and 484 newly elected councillors. I congratulate the leadership and management of Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC for a thorough and for the good job done inspite of unnecessary distractions by politicians who tried to stall the process for their own selfish interest.
“Let me also thank the good people of Kano State for coming out enmasse to exercise their civic duty peacefully and orderly manner devoid of any rancour.
“Let me seize this opportunity to call on the newly elected chairmen and councillors to lead with fear of Allah and be guided by the oath of office as you will give account for your actions and inactions before your creator in the hereafter,” Governor Yusuf said.
