Security, Governance, Politics Dominate Discussions as Nasarawa Assembly Engages Area Council Administrators
House Committee tasks administrators on synergy with council members, accountability, peace, unity, and grassroots development
By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has held an expanded interactive session with Administrators of Area Administrative Councils across the state, with discussions centering on security, governance, political developments, accountability, and grassroots development.
The meeting, held on Thursday at the Assembly Complex in Lafia, provided a platform for lawmakers and council administrators to deliberate on pressing issues affecting the administration of the Area Administrative Councils, including insecurity at the grassroots, allegations of maladministration, and concerns arising from the recently concluded APC primary elections in the state.
Speaking during the session, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, said the engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Assembly, Area Council Administrators, and council members in order to enhance effective service delivery and promote good governance.
According to him, the meeting addressed a petition submitted by members of the Area Administrative Councils against their administrators, alleging exclusion from decision-making processes and other administrative irregularities.
“Our discussion was in three phases.
The first centered on the petition written by council members against their administrators. We emphasized the need for effective synergy and directed administrators to carry their members along in line with the provisions of the law establishing the councils,” he said.
Hon. Ibrahim noted that the second phase focused on political developments, particularly issues arising from the APC primary elections, where some actions by government appointees allegedly undermined the interests of the ruling party.
“This is an APC government, and all appointees must operate within government directives and party guidelines. Any conduct contrary to these principles is unacceptable and capable of undermining the objectives of the party and government,” he stated.
The committee chairman explained that the interface, which also involved Directors of Finance and Cashiers of the councils, was intended to strengthen accountability, transparency, and governance at the grassroots level.
He disclosed that the House had received a petition titled ‘Complaint Against Maladministration in the Area Administrative Councils of Nasarawa State and Alleged Actions Capable of Undermining APC Structure and Council Activities at the Grassroots by the Administrators.’
As part of efforts to investigate the allegations, Hon. Ibrahim directed all administrators to submit within three days comprehensive reports detailing projects executed, project locations, internally generated revenue (IGR), records of deceased council members, and the handling of their salaries, among other financial transactions.
He stressed that allegations contained in the petition included failure to involve council members in governance, questionable management of funds, including a N15 million renovation allocation, and other financial matters requiring clarification.
The lawmaker assured stakeholders that the Assembly would carry out a thorough and impartial investigation in line with its constitutional oversight responsibilities.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the House to ensuring accountability in public service while commending Governor Abdullahi Sule for his developmental strides across the state.
“The House will continue to perform its oversight role effectively.
Administrators must account for all public funds entrusted to them and ensure inclusiveness in governance for peace, unity, and sustainable development at the grassroots,” he added.
Other members of the committee, including Hon. Muhammad Adamu Omadefu, Hon. Ajegena Kudu, and Hon. Musa Saidu Gude, called for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations, particularly claims relating to the diversion of funds belonging to deceased workers and other financial issues.
Hon. Omadefu noted that the Area Administrative Councils were established to bring governance and development closer to the people and therefore must uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.
Responding on behalf of the administrators, Chairman of the Forum of Area Administrators and Administrator of Loko Area Administrative Council, Hon. Shuaibu Umar, expressed appreciation to the Assembly for providing an opportunity to clarify issues raised in the petition.
He described their appointments as a privilege and assured lawmakers that they remained committed to operating within the confines of the law.
Hon. Umar dismissed allegations of misappropriation of internally generated revenue, explaining that revenue collection is contracted by the state government and managed by the Nasarawa State Revenue Board.
He also denied allegations relating to pension payments, diversion of funds belonging to deceased workers, and secret employment practices, maintaining that salary payments are processed through the local government system.
While acknowledging that no human institution is perfect, he stated that administrators had consistently engaged council members before taking major decisions, including the utilization of funds allocated for council renovations.
He appealed for patience, understanding, and continued support from stakeholders, assuring that administrators would remain loyal to the state government and committed to promoting development at the grassroots.
Hon. Umar also commended Governor Abdullahi Sule and the State Assembly for their support and pledged the administrators’ continued obedience to the laws governing the Area Administrative Councils.
