Drama as Niger Governor omits LG chairman’s name during swearing in

The was controversy at the Government Gouse as two men laid claim to the chairmanship of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State and appeared to be sworn in by the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, despite a court injunction.
When the elected chairmen were introduced to be sworn in by the state Chief Judge, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, the names of the controversial chairmen were conspicuously omitted by the government owing to an inconclusive agreement by all the parties involved.
This happened at the swearing in ceremony of the 25 Local Government chairmen of the state by the Bello on Thursday at the Government House.
However, the acclaimed winner of the election at Mariga LGA, Idris Ibrahim, was earlier sacked by the court over irregularities as pointed out during the primaries and was replaced by the man that came second during the primaries, Abdulmalik Sarki’Daji.
Ibrahim, it was gathered, went back to court to challenge his removal at the Minna High Court 3 and got a court injunction refraining Abdulmalik from parading himself as the elected chairman.
Ibrahim had prayed the court to compel the State Independent Electoral Commission to recognise him as the duly elected chairman of Mariga LGA.
The court injunction was served the state party‎ Chairman, Engr. Jibrin Imam, and the party chairman at the LGA, recognising Ibrahim as the elected chairman.
The two chairmen who are from Mariga LGA sat at both end of the row that was reserved for elected chairmen.
Our Correspondent gathered that before the drama, Ibrahim was invited more than three times by security agents into the Governor’s Office.
While Abdulmalik sat down waiting for fate to smile at him, the governor invited Ibrahim for a closed door meeting in his office, which lasted‎ for about five minutes.
The issue was however not resolved, as both men were waiting to be sworn in.
At this time, the governor, his deputy and other party faithful seated at the high table invited Ibrahim to a second closed door meeting, which lasted for about 15 minutes.
It should be recalled that the local government election held throughout the state in January 16, 2016.‎‎
As at the time of filing this report, the governor swore in 24 LGA chairmen.
Governor Bello, in his address, urged the chairmen to exercise their authorities and hit the ground running by imbibing the culture of doing things right.
Also, he said: “I discover some irregularities with some LGA and very shortly we will resolve the issue, because we must all work together.”
Bello urged them to shun all forms of corruption as they will be held responsible by the people and God.
According to him: “Every single penny expended for any project in the state will be made public by the government so that the people can exercise their rights in asking what the state money was used for.
“For those who hold elective positions should not see it as rudeness when approached and asked certain questions.
“We must have checks and balances.”
Bello said further that the necessary instruments will be made available to all chairmen but must be judiciously utilised.