Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Wednesday, swore in 21 newly elected council chairmen to administer the local governments in the state for the next three years.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state won the election conducted by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission, ADSIEC,on June 13.
The governor at the ceremony in Yola, congratulated the chairmen and the 226 councillors for their victory.
He called on them to discharge their responsibilities diligently and warned against corrupt practices.
Fintiri also advised the elected officers to stay in their respective local government areas instead of living in the state capital.
“As Chairmen of Councils, you are the government at grassroots.
“You are at the vantage position to create the right image for government policies which are not only pro-poor and largely intended to change the life of our rural dwellers for the better.
“You must be the vanguards for stimulating developments in your respective areas.
“You must let the people feel the impact of governance by way of making yourselves available and willing to listen and solve problems at that level.
“Governance is better appreciated when its impact is felt at the bottom. You must be a symbol of government at your various duty posts”, he said.
“Fintiri further called on the chairmen to work with their respective traditional rulers and Development Area Administrators to ensure the reconstruction of trust and confidence in the government’s good intentions.
In his remarks, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin, Chairman, Yola North LGA, who spoke on behalf of the other chairmen, expressed gratitude to God, the governor and electorate.
Jibrin assured that he and his colleagues would discharge their duties diligently and provide more dividend of democracy to the people at the grassroots.
“We heard you loud and clear during our campaign tour and therefore assure you of our commitment to providing the needed dividends of democracy by ensuring we carry you along,” he said.
NAN also reports that the oath of office and allegiance was administered by the State Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahaman.