Lalong Swears In Caretaker LGs Chairmen Against Court Order

Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong

Plateau state governor, Simon LalongAmidst series of protests from elected local government chairmen and councillors against their ouster by the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, has gone ahead to swear in caretaker committees, on Thursday.

The swearing in followed Tuesday's confirmation of the list of management committees by the state House of Assembly (PLSH), which also sparked condemnation by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House.

The swearing in ceremony is coming weeks after the state governor dissolved the elected councils' chairmen on July 5, citing “monumental corruption“ as part of the reasons for enforcing a clause of the state Local Government Law 2005 which empowers him to sack elected council officers.

But the PDP lawmakers at the state assembly are still kicking, saying the confirmation of the appointment was a violation of House procedures, as well as Section 7 of the constitution of the country which provides for democracy at the grassroots level.

The chairmen were elected on the local government law that provides for a three year term. But they had only completed one year in office when their sack came, compelling them to run to the Federal High Court in Jos, which granted their prayers for an order compelling the state government, House, and other parties to allow the elected officers in office, pending the determination of the substantive suit against the ouster.

The swearing in was, however, hailed by many, who turned up for the ceremony with drums.
Lalong said his action was within the requirement of the law, and that the dissolution became necessary after an assessment of the councils exposed the elected officers as operating beneath their expectation in leadership.

He said the appointment and swearing in of the caretakers was part of the rescue mission he embarked upon to salvage the state from the clutches of bad leadership.

He therefore, urged the new appointees to consider their appointment as a trust for good governance.

“Your selection as Management Committee Chairmen and that of your other members is a product of broad spectrum consultation, so that you are conscious of the expectation of the people and morally under the burden of conscience to deliver on the expectation of the citizenry,” Lalong said.

“We are on a Rescue Mission and now as a part of the team, you are under mandate to provide purposeful leadership in line with our policy trust of revamping the economy, sustaining peace and security, ensuring prosperity through good governance which is the hallmark of development; within the duration of your service.”