Governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has sworn in the 27 newly elected local government chairmen, all of whom are members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and delivered a stern warning to them about their conduct in office, on Monday.
The chairmen, elected on Saturday, have been instructed to steer clear of any involvement in illegal land dealings, particularly concerning land grazing and forest reserves, with the governor warning that such actions could lead to legal repercussions and possible imprisonment.
In his address, Governor Namadi emphasized the importance of preserving land and forest reserves, making it clear that the authority over these resources lies exclusively with the state governor.
 “I am warning all of you to avoid illegal allocation and selling of lands, grazing, and forest reserves in your respective areas,” the governor stated, leaving no room for misinterpretation about the seriousness of his directive.
The governor also highlighted the importance of proximity between the local government chairmen and the people they were elected to serve.
He directed all newly appointed chairmen to relocate to the headquarters of their respective local government areas and take up residence there.
Governor Namadi firmly discouraged any tendency for chairmen to live outside their jurisdictions, such as in larger cities like Kano, Abuja, or Dutse, while holding office.
“This is not the era of residing in Kano, Abuja, or Dutse while you are the chairman of Buji, Guri, or Kafin Hausa local government,” the governor admonished. “You must stay in your area 24/7 as your attention is needed at any time.”
He also mentioned that all 27 local government areas have appropriate official residences for their chairmen. Should any of these residences be in need of renovation, the chairmen were encouraged to address the issue immediately, as living among the people is crucial for effective governance.
“You must stay with your people in order to serve them very well. I will not tolerate abandoning your people for unnecessary travels,” Namadi declared.
He further warned that actions would be taken against anyone found neglecting their duties or traveling excessively without justification.
Governor Namadi urged the new chairmen to embrace inclusivity in their leadership, encouraging them to involve their teams and ensure that everyone under their administration is allowed to carry out their responsibilities.
“You should carry everybody along. Allow them to carry out their responsibilities at all times as everyone is important,” he said.
The governor concluded by calling on the chairmen to discharge their duties with fairness, justice, and the fear of God, reminding them that they will one day be held accountable for their actions.
“Discharge your duties and responsibilities with the fear of God Almighty as you will be asked to account and defend all your actions and conducts,” he stressed.
In addition, Governor Namadi appealed to the people of Jigawa State to offer their full support and cooperation to the new local government councils, as this would enable them to carry out their constitutional duties effectively and achieve the desired objectives for their communities.
