…Says LCDA Reform Has Come to Stay, Vows Sustained Grassroots Development
… Presents 13 Brand-new Operational Vehicles to LCDA Chairpersons
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has sworn in the newly elected Chairmen of the state’s 11 Local Government Councils and the 13 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), charging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by serving with dedication, integrity, transparency and the fear of God.
A statement signed by Ismaila Uba Misilli DG Press Affairs Gombe state government house said the inauguration, held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Gombe, followed the June 27 local government elections conducted by the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC), in which candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won all the 24 chairmanship and 240 councillorship seats across the state.
As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots governance and ensure smooth take off, Governor Inuwa Yahaya also presented 13 brand-new Toyota Hilux operational vehicles to the newly elected LCDA chairpersons to enhance effective service delivery and facilitate their official responsibilities.
Addressing the newly inaugurated council chairmen, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the successful conduct of the local government elections as peaceful, transparent and credible, saying the outcome reflects the enduring confidence of the people in the APC and its development-driven leadership.
He congratulated the chairpersons on their electoral victory, describing their emergence as a clear demonstration of the trust and confidence their constituents have placed in them.
According to the governor, the overwhelming support received by the ruling party further underscores public appreciation of the remarkable achievements recorded by his administration over the past seven years and strengthens the party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya stressed that local governments remain the foundation of democratic governance, being the tier of government closest to the people and the primary channel through which citizens experience the dividends of democracy.
He noted that effective local administration is critical to delivering essential services, including primary healthcare, basic education, rural infrastructure, water supply, sanitation, agricultural support and community development programmes.
The governor observed that, in view of the prevailing security challenges across parts of the country, local governments have become even more strategic in promoting community participation, strengthening grassroots intelligence gathering and sustaining local peace-building initiatives.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said it was in recognition of this vital role that his administration initiated the historic Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) reform aimed at bringing governance closer to the people, expanding access to government services and accelerating development at the grassroots.
He noted with satisfaction that the reform has moved beyond policy to implementation, with the construction of modern administrative headquarters, harmonisation of personnel and completion of all administrative processes required for the smooth take-off of the LCDAs.
“The LCDA reform is here to stay. It remains one of the most transformative governance initiatives in the history of Gombe State and will stand as a lasting legacy of our commitment to strengthening grassroots administration,” the governor declared.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya recalled that when his administration assumed office in 2019, many local government councils were financially distressed, struggling to pay salaries, burdened by years of unpaid gratuities and unable to deliver meaningful development to their people.
He, however, stated that prudent financial management, fiscal discipline, transparency and responsible leadership have completely reversed that trend.
According to him, local government councils in the state are now financially stable, meeting salary obligations, clearing inherited liabilities, executing capital projects and delivering essential services to their communities.
The governor attributed much of the success to the establishment of the Joint Projects Development Agency (JPDA), describing it as a nationally acclaimed model of collaboration between the state and local governments.
Through the JPDA, he explained, both levels of government have jointly financed and executed numerous projects in road construction, healthcare, education, water supply, agriculture and other critical sectors, proving that financial autonomy and accountability can coexist where transparency and shared development goals prevail.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya reminded the newly elected chairpersons that they are assuming office at a critical period when rural communities require purposeful leadership capable of addressing infrastructure deficits, unemployment, insecurity and declining economic opportunities.
He urged them to remain people-oriented, responsive and accountable, stressing that the mandate entrusted to them represents the hopes and aspirations of millions of citizens.
“I urge you to discharge your responsibilities with dedication, humility, integrity, transparency and, above all, the fear of God. Let every decision you make reflect the collective interest of the people rather than personal considerations,” he said.
The governor further charged the chairpersons to consolidate on the solid foundation laid by his administration and build on the achievements of their predecessors.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Governor Inuwa Yahaya called on the council chairmen to intensify efforts in delivering quality governance at the grassroots, saying the performance of their administrations would remain the strongest campaign for the All Progressives Congress.
“Let the people see, feel and experience the dividends of democracy in every ward, every district and every community. Good governance remains our greatest political asset,” he stated.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya commended the Local Government Secretaries for effectively managing the affairs of the councils following their dissolution, pending the conduct of the elections.
He also applauded GOSIEC, security agencies, election officials, political parties, election observers, the media and the people of Gombe State for ensuring a peaceful, credible and successful electoral process.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, described the inauguration of the 11 Local Government Chairmen and 13 LCDA chairpersons as another significant milestone in Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to deepening democracy, expanding political participation and bringing government closer to the people.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Professor Abdullahi Bappah Garkuwa, expressed appreciation to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his visionary leadership and pledged that the newly inaugurated chairpersons would not betray the confidence reposed inthem by the government and the people of the state.
