By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Ham community in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State has decried the persistent imposition of chairpersons during former Governor Nasiru el-Rufai’s eight-year administration.
In a press statement, the Ham Elders Forum expressed their desire for development but noted that this can only happen if they are allowed to choose their leaders based on their track records and capabilities.
The community emphasized that for eight years, Jaba LGA never had an elected LG chairperson; instead, they were given appointed chairpersons. They are now calling on Governor Uba Sani to ensure free and fair polls in the upcoming October 19, 2024, local government elections.
We are living in a time when every issue that affects our existence and sensitivity as a people needs to be voiced out for the desired action to be taken
“We are living in a time when every issue that affects our existence and sensitivity as a people needs to be voiced out for the desired action to be taken,” the statement read.
The joint statement issued by Martins Boris Chiroma, Mamman D.Sarki, Istifanus Zom, Iliya Bako Byeing, and Peter N. Buba explained, “Since the establishment of Jaba LG, we have been craving development; however, such lofty ambitions will hardly come to fruition when we are not allowed to scrutinize, assess, and even choose our leaders.”
They reiterated that for the past eight years of Governor Nasiru el-Rufai’s government, Jaba LGA never had an elected LG chairperson (for reasons best known to him and not in their best interest). They were often given an appointed chairperson (what they regarded as his alternative), whether or not such decisions suited or appeased their sentiments.
“Enough is enough! We deserve to be given our constitutional rights, like other LGAs, to exercise our franchise and exert our powers as electorates,” the statement further explained.
Enough is enough! We deserve to be given our constitutional rights, like other LGAs, to exercise our franchise and exert our powers as electorates
They pleaded with Governor Uba Sani and all concerned authorities to let Jaba breathe, pointing out that Jaba people need to be given a chance to elect who they want to lead them and not have a candidate imposed on them.
To maintain and sustain their cherished peace and coexistence and achieve the necessary development they yearn for in the local government, as envisaged by the Supreme Court judgment on autonomy of LGs, the concerned elders explained that they agitate for peaceful elections in all units and wards.
The Ham Elders Forum commended the state government for conducting the local government elections in accordance with the Supreme Court’s judgment and hoped this would bring relevant development and peace to Jaba land.
Read Also: Pay Your Taxes, Govt Needs Money to Provide Services, Wike Tells Nigerians
