The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Gombe State has rejected Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s plan to appoint caretaker chairmen for the 11 local government areas in the state.
The IPAC Publicity Secretary in the state, Malam Abubakar Aliyu, who revealed this, said the constitution does not provide for caretaker committees at the local adding that it is illegal.
He said following the expiration of the tenure of all the elected chairmen of the respective LGAs, the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC) should have conducted an election to fill the positions.
“It is on record that on December 19, the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs issued all the elected chairmen of the 11 LGAs a notification on the expiration of their tenure.
“But to our dismay, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya applied and requested from the Gombe State House of Assembly approval to re-appoint the 11 chairmen whose tenure has expired as caretaker committee against the existing norms and procedure,” Aliyu said.
The IPAC said it was worrisome that the House of Assembly granted approval to the governor to appoint caretaker committee to supervise the administrative functions and affairs of the 11 local government councils.
The IPAC called on the state government to make arrangements to conduct local government elections in the state.
