Following the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on thursday 11th July, 2024 on the Local Governments autonomy and Governance, we are compelled to intimate you that Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area in Kaduna State is administered by Caretaker Committee installed by Kaduna State government at the moment.
The action of installing a Caretaker Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Local Government contravene Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution as affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria that ” all Local Government Areas should be Democratically Elected”.*
It is pertinent to note that an election was held in all the 23 Local Government Councils for the Chairmen and Councillors offices on the 23rd October, 2021 and Honorable, Yusha’u Ibrahim Aboki was declared winner along with councillors along party lines in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, but only four councillors were issued certificates of return and Hon. Yusha’u Aboki was denied a certificate of return instead of the state government imposed and installed a Caretaker Committee Sole Administrator of Birnin-Gwari Local Government with seven appointed Local government councillors to run the affairs of the Local government till date.
The election was conducted on 23/10/2021 and the declaration was done on 25/10/2021 at the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Chamber by the Returning Officer.
Secondly a Court order was served to the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) to issue a certificate of return to the winner on 12/01/2022. Also a notice of consequences of disobedience to order of Court was served to the SIECOM through the Attorney General of Kaduna state that unless they obey the directives contained in the order she will be guilty of contempt of court and Will be liable to be committed to prison. This letter was served on 10/11/2022.
Distinguished Members of the Media, as a Community Based Organization advocating for Security and Good Governance, we are concerned with the development of Birnin-Gwari Local Government government that is now in abeyance of the section 7 of the 1999 constitution and affirmation of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
*OUR DEMAND*
1) We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National security Adviser, The National Assembly, The Director General, State Security Service, The Inspector General of Police, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Attorney General of Kaduna State and The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command to intervene and immediately restore a Democratically Elected Local Government Chairman and Councillors of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State based of the judgement of the supreme Court of Nigeria of July 11, 2024.
2) That the Kaduna State Government to sworn-in without delay the winner of Chairmanship Election of 23rd October, 2021 for a period of 3 years from the date he assume office and also obey without delay Local Government Election Tribunal Judgement and the State High Court Judgement in favour of the winners of Local Government Councils election in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area and instruct the State Independent Electoral Commission to issue them a Certificate of Return.
3) Equally, we are calling for withdrawal and dissolution of the Caretaker Committee of the Birnin-Gwari Local Government to pave the way for the democratically elected Chairman and Councillors.
4) That pending full compliance with the Supreme Court Judgement on the autonomy of the Local Government Area Councils in Nigeria of the 11th July, 2024, the Accountant General of the Federation should exercise the powers to withhold further allocation of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
As a Community Based Organization we are calling on all the political leaders, Community leaders and the People to uphold the principles of Federalism and work towards enhancement of Good Governance, improved Security at the Grassroots, Peace and development through Democratic Governance in our Community.
