Zamfara State Government has expressed its resolve to comply with the Supreme Court

judgment on Local Government’s autonomy, while, emphasizing the critical role the

third tier of the government plays in bringing development closer to the grassroots.

The Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammed Nakwada who

disclosed this on Tuesday in Gusau, while making his remarks at the opening ceremony

of the workshop organized for the management staff, electoral officers and assistant

electoral officers of the Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission, spoke

through the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Dr Lawal Hussein, stressing that,

Governor Dauda Lawal is committed to promoting democratic principles and respecting

the rule of law, and urged the commission to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

He said, in July this year, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a landmark judgment

granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country, which

reaffirms the critical role of Local Governments as the third tier of government and the

closest to the people, adding that, it underscores the need for democratic

representation, which can only be truly achieved when elected officers, not appointed

caretakers, govern the councils.

He also said, the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal has recognized the

importance of putting all necessary measures in place to ensure the timely and

democratic conduct of the forthcoming local government elections, adding that, the

pre-election workshop is a testament to the administration’s unwavering commitment

to democracy and the rule of law.

The Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammed Nakwada said,

upholding the integrity of the electoral processes is a task of paramount importance,

and the workshop serves as a platform to equip those who will be at the forefront of the

crucial responsibility, while, the Chairman of the Commission, Sani Ibrahim Ruwan

Doruwa represented by Bashir Iliyasu Tsafe commended the State government for

giving the commission all the necessary support, adding that, the commission is

heavily indebted to the State Government for extending its hands of support and

financial ability towards making it possible to hold the program.