The Jigawa State House of Assembly has reinstated four local government council chairmen who were suspended on March 6 over allegations of misconduct, negligence, and misuse of public funds.
The legislators lifted the suspension after a resolution was passed through voting during a plenary session. The affected chairmen were instructed to resume their official duties immediately.
The reinstated officials are Hon. Bappa Shinge of Auyo LGA, Bala Usman-Chamo of Dutse LGA, Ahmed Rufa’i of Gumel LGA, and Shehu Sule-Udi of Ringim LGA.
The chairmen were initially accused of misconduct, negligence, and injudicious use of public funds, based on findings made by the Assembly’s Committee on Local Government during an oversight visit to their respective areas, leading to their indefinite suspension.
An ad hoc committee was set up by the House to investigate the matter further. The committee, led by acting chairman Aminu Zakari, reviewed documents, including a consultant’s report on each of the four local governments.
The committee made 11 recommendations, one of which was to issue a stern warning to the chairmen to desist from any unethical conduct in their administrative and financial dealings. The report recommended lifting the suspensions and allowing them to resume their duties.
Following the resolution of the Assembly through voting, Speaker Mr. Haruna Aliyu ordered the immediate reinstatement of the four chairmen.
Reacting on behalf of the reinstated chairmen, Usman-Chamo of Dutse LG expressed gratitude to the lawmakers and thanked their supporters for their solidarity.
Usman-Chamo, who also serves as the state’s ALGON chairman, reaffirmed their loyalty to Governor Malam Umar Namadi and the APC.
