Zamfara State to Hold Local Government Elections Soon

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has announced that local government elections in the state will be held soon, following recent amendments to the state’s electoral law. The governor made this disclosure during a meeting of the state’s Executive Council, emphasizing the importance of conducting democratic elections at the local level in line with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.

At the meeting, Lawal also inaugurated Bala Aliyu Gusau as the Chairman of the Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission, marking a key step in his administration’s preparations for the upcoming local council polls. According to the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, the tenure of the current leadership, comprising the 14 sole administrators, will end on October 23, 2024.

The state is now poised to conduct the elections in an open and transparent manner, with the Governor emphasizing the importance of fairness and justice in the electoral process. The Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission is expected to announce the election timetable soon, and the Governor has instructed the Commission to come up with guidelines and modalities for the elections.

The meeting also saw Lawal discuss his recent participation in the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, where he described it as a valuable experience. He expressed optimism that it would result in positive outcomes for his administration’s ongoing efforts to improve the lives of the people of Zamfara. Lawal also directed the Secretary to the State Government to collaborate with the Deputy Governor to promptly inaugurate the Zamfara State Investment Promotion Agency Board to ensure its effective operation.

Furthermore, the Governor announced that the state is ready to commence the cash transfer component of NG-Cares, a program aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals in the state. The transfers will support over 21,000 people, including poor and vulnerable households, unemployed youth, and women, across the 14 Local Government Areas of the state. The program will also provide Livelihood Support Grants and Labour Intensive Public Workfare to over 21,000 people.

The Governor concluded by emphasizing the importance of fairness and justice in the electoral process, stating that the principle of fairness and justice must guide the nominations for all peoples in our constituencies.