You must account for every kobo in your custody, Gov. Yusuf warns newly inaugurated LG chairmen

Against all odds, the newly elected 44 council chairmen in Kano State, yesterday, took oath of office and allegiance to serve with transparency and accountability, as well as fulfill their campaign promises to the electorates.

Just as the council Chairmen assumed office, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf warned them of his administration’s zero tolerance to corruption, adding that every Kobo in their custody must be accounted for.

While issuing the strong notice on Sunday at Kano State Government House during a swearing in ceremony, Governor Yusuf also directed the new council leaders to immediately return to their local government areas to administer oath of office to their councillors and resume duties henceforth.

According to him, the state independent electoral Commission successful completed their statutory mandate and smoothly returned candidates elected across the 44 local government areas of the state.

He expressed satisfaction on the performance of the electoral body for conducting a credible poll in spite of all attempts by the opposition parties to obstruct the process.

Governor Yusuf, however, expressed worries over what he described as plot by the opposition parties to frustrate Kano from meeting the end of October deadline give by Federal Government for states to ensure elected persons take over the administration of local government areas of the country.

“The Supreme Court delivered a judgment affirming the local government autonomy and the need for all states of the Federal to ensure only duly elected persons administer authority at the local government. As true believer of democracy, we directed KANSIEC to commence the processes of conducting election at the local government areas. It was surprised to realize attempts by opposition parties to stop the elect.

” It will interest the public to know that when we came into power, we met 44 local government chairmen and 484 councillors all members of opposition. No single member of NNPP among the 44 chairmen. We resisted all external and internal temptation to remove them from the councils. Hence, we allowed them to complete their tenure in office.

” After they complete their tenure, we commenced the processes of producing new local council executives, only for the the opposition to resorts to legal actions to stop the council election. We thank God they could not stop KANSIEC. Election was held and concluded peacefully. We appreciate the people of Kano for their well conduct, the security agencies and the media for their efforts,”. Governor Yusuf said.

Prior to their swearing, the newly elected Chairmen, including a female, received their certificate of return at the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC). The issuance of the certificates comes less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the council election held across the 484 political wards on Saturday.

KANSIEC has declared candidates of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) winner of the entire 44 local government councils and councillorship seats across the 484 wards.

Chairman of the state electoral body, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi emphasized the issuance of the certificate of return marked the significant part of the commission’s statutory responsibility.

Malumfashi expressed satisfaction over the successful execution of the conduct of the poll which he said was carefully carried out in consonance with the constitutional mandate of KANSIEC.

Six of the 19 political parties, including the ruling NNPP, AA, Accord Party, AAC, ADC, and APM participated in the process, while those that declined participation in the council poll include APC, PDP, PRP among other opposition parties.