Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State has identified effective local government administration as the primary weapon against rising security challenges. He made the declaration on Monday while swearing in newly elected chairpersons for the state’s 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 13 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Speaking at the Government House, Gombe, Yahaya argued that the proximity of local councils to citizens makes them uniquely positioned to combat crime. "Local governments have become even more critical in fostering community engagement, gathering grassroots intelligence, and strengthening local peace-building mechanisms," the Governor said. He charged the new leaders to make grassroots governance the strongest campaign tool for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Yahaya defended the creation of the 13 LCDAs, dismissing claims that they merely expand government bureaucracy. He revealed that the state has completed modern headquarters for the new councils and finalized all administrative processes for their take-off. Reflecting on his administration`s tenure since 2019, the Governor claimed a major financial turnaround for the state`s councils. He noted that the administration met a system where councils struggled to pay salaries and had accumulated massive gratuities. "Through prudent financial management, fiscal discipline, transparency, and responsible leadership, we reversed that unfortunate trend," Yahaya stated, adding that the councils are now financially stable. The Governor praised the Joint Projects Development Agency for fostering seamless collaboration between state and local tiers to deliver critical infrastructure. He warned the new officials against prioritizing personal interest over public service, reminding them that they hold the aspirations of millions. Responding on behalf of the chairpersons, Abdullahi Bappa of Gombe Local Government Area thanked the Governor and pledged that the new leaders would deliver on their mandates.
