Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Monday announced the scrapping of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in response to the Supreme Court’s judgment granting autonomy to local governments across Nigeria.
Gov. Mohammed at a swearing-in ceremony for three new commissioners disclosed the decision, stating, “We have dropped one of our commissioners – the former health commissioner, (Dr. Adamu Sambo) because we have to reposition ourselves.
“First to reduce the cost of governance, shrink the establishments of the government and to implement the judgment of the Supreme Court on local government.”
The Bauchi state governor emphasized, “We will no longer have a commissioner for local government henceforth.”
The move comes after the Supreme Court’s ruling, which grants autonomy to local governments, making the ministry redundant.
The last commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, the late Ahmed Aliyu Jalam, passed away in a road accident four months ago, while two others resigned to contest local government elections in August.
“We are also here to fill the vacancy created as a result of the voluntary retirement of three commissioners so that at least every local government will be given parity and representation in the cabinet as required by the constitution. We have dropped one of the commissioners, the former Commissioner of Health, because we have to reposition ourselves, thus reducing the cost of governance and shrinking the establishment for the government as well as implementing the Supreme Court judgment on local government. Henceforth, we will no longer have a Commissioner for Local Government.”
Governor Mohammed announced Dr. Sani Dambam as the new Commissioner for Health, replacing Dr. Sambo.
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“We had to drop the former Commissioner of Health not because he was found wanting but because we had to make a leadership decision. We wish him the best and will find a place for him in the government.”
Mrs. Zainab Babbatanka is now the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Engineer Mohammed Abdulkadir has been assigned to the Ministry of Commerce, and Dr. Ahmed Abdurrahman will take on the role of Chief Security Adviser.
