Ahead of local government council election, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has declared Friday 18 December 2020 as work-free day.
The governor who made the declaration during a statewide broadcast Thursday, to the people of the state on the forthcoming local government council election, come December 19, 2020.
The governor described the election as the most important pillar of democracy and the strongest political mechanism through which people can select their leaders in an atmosphere of freedom and fairness.
He added that it is this demonstration of popular will that makes democracy a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
“Our administration came to power through the historic elections of March 2019. Ever since, we have not relented in our determination to deliver democratic dividends to our people through the provision of people-oriented programmes and policies. Today, the evidence is clear for all to see as Gombe state is on the path of sustainable progress and an all-inclusive development trajectory”.
“As part of the measures to ensure a peaceful and successful election, Government has declared Friday a work-free day in order to enable our people to return to their various local government areas for the election.
“We are also putting restrictions on all non-essential movements on election day to ensure enhanced security and safety. These regulations are in our collective interest. I, therefore, call on people to abide by them and cooperate with election and security officials”.
He said as the third tier of government and one that is closest to the grassroots, the local governments deserve the highest priority, therefore the decision on who governs them and how they should be governed is a matter of great priority.
The Governor expressed the hope that the upcoming election will usher in competent and trustworthy administrators who would help to manage the affairs of the local governments and the state as a whole.
“In line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), we constituted the State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct Local Government Elections in the State.
Governor Yahaya said the administration has appointed capable and honourable individuals to run the affairs commission.
“At the same time, we provided the Commission with necessary financial and institutional support to conduct a successful Local Government election”.
He said in order to fulfil its mandate, the State Electoral Commission has drawn up activities and concluded all arrangements to hold the Election on Saturday 19th December 2020 where Chairmen and Councilors of all our 11 Local Government Areas and 114 electoral wards would be elected to manage the affairs of the people.
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