…..urges CSOs to collaborate with new officials to achieve fiscal discipline, others
The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Gombe, on Tuesday lauded Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, and security agencies for forestalling breakdown of law and order, urging for improvement of future Local Government Areas poll.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that on April 27, Chairman of Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission Saidu Shehu, announced candidates of the All Progressives Congress as winners of the 11 LGAs.
Shehu noted that out of 19 registered political parties five contested the election, adding that four out of the five didn’t vie for the councillorship seats across the 114 wards, thereby returning APC candidates.
ANGO reacting to the recent election in a statement made available to PERISCOPE NIGERIA, which was signed by the acting Chairman Idris Lawanti, Deputy Chairperson Gloria Usman, and Secretary Bachama Yusuf, urged for strengthening of existing trust between residents and government.
The statement partly read, “We commend His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya CON, the Executive Governor of Gombe State and as the Chief Security Officer of the State, and the Security operatives for ensuring that no single security breach was recorded in the election process. We call on His Excellency to continue to improve and strengthen the local government election so as to strengthen and cement the trust between the citizens and government going forward.”
While urging for residents to prioritise LG poll, ANGO noted that people play key roles in development, “Voter turnout was low compared to the 2023 general elections. We urge the citizens at the grassroots to prioritise local government election and do everything possible to exercise their civic duty and participate effectively.
“As declared by the GOSIEC, of the 19 political parties, only 5 participated in the election. Governance is about the people, and these people are at the grassroots, and the LG Election is the vehicle that brings onboard Local Government Councils for the People. For some Political Parties not to invest in and participate fully and effectively is suggests not prioritising and putting the people first,” the statement added.
ANGO called on all relevant institutions as a matter of priority to ensure the full operationality of the local government autonomy, adding “with all its attendant rights, authority, and privileges to adequately respond to the needs, desires, and aspirations of the people at the grassroots in line with the Constitutional mandate of the Local Government.”
The statement called on the newly elected LGAs officials’ to prioritise citizens nominated projects in the implementation of local government budgets, and strengthen citizens’ engagement and participation in local governance, urging Civil Society Organisations to collaborate with the LGAs to ensure fiscal discipline.
ANGO statement added, “Also, given the growing needs of the people, the Councils should demonstrate to be prudent, and accountable in order to strengthen the trust in their social contract with the citizens.
“We also call on the citizens to be deliberate in engaging the Local Councils – as groups, as communities, and as active citizens to make Governance work for them.
“We call on our teaming CSOs to continue to engage the newly elected Councils – working with citizens groups and community structures to facilitate effective service delivery through ensuring holding accountable for fiscal discipline, and sustainable citizens’ engagement and participation in Local Governance processes towards a better society.”
