The people of Ham community in Jaba Local Government Area in the Kaduna South Senatorial District of Kaduna State have decried the persistent imposition of chairpersons during the past eight years of former Governor Nasiru El-Rufai’s administration.
The people expressed their concerns in a statement issued by the Ham Elders Forum in relation to the October 19, 2024 local government elections in the state.
A joint statement issued on Wednesday by Martins Boris Chiroma, Mamman D. Sarki, Istifanus Zom, Iliya Bako Byeing, and Peter N. Buba, explained, “We are living in a time when every issue that affects our existence and sensitivity as a people needs to be voiced out for the desired action to be taken. As peace-loving people that we are known for, over the past 8 years, the system in Kaduna State has shown us that there is no reward for being objectively organized.
“Since the establishment of Jaba LGA, we have been craving development. However, such lofty ambition will hardly come to fruition when we are not allowed to scrutinize, assess, and even choose our leaders based on their track records and capabilities. If development is central to governance, we should be allowed to choose the candidate we believe will drive our developmental objectives.”
They reiterated that for the past eight years under the El-Rufai administration, Jaba LGA never had an elected LG Chairperson (for reasons best known to him and not in their best interest). Instead, they were often given an appointed Chairperson (which they regarded as his alternative). Whether such a decision suited or appeased their sentiments or not, they had to accommodate it and learn to live with it.
“Enough is enough! We deserve to be given our constitutional rights, like other LGAs, to exercise our franchise and exert our powers as electorates,” the statement further explained.
They pleaded with Governor Uba Sani and all the concerned authorities to let Jaba breathe, pointing out that the Jaba people need to be given a chance to elect who they want to lead them, not have a candidate imposed on them.
According to them, “In order to maintain and sustain our cherished peace and coexistence, and also to achieve the necessary development we yearn for in the local government as envisaged by the Supreme Court judgment on the autonomy of LGCs.”
The concerned elders explained, “We, the Elders of Jaba LGA in Ham land, are agitating for a peaceful election in all units and wards. Voters should be allowed to vote for the candidates of their choice without any interference. The votes should be counted according to electoral fairness and justice, and those who win at any stage, i.e., at ward council and chairmanship stages, should be declared in accordance with electoral laws and fairness.
“All results should be counted at voting centers, and collations/declarations should be made by the Returning Officers on the spot at the designated places for councillors and chairmen. Copies of duly signed results should be distributed to relevant officials, such as party agents and security personnel.
“Any Ham/Jaba person who involves themselves in wrongful declarations of false results at any point or stage during the process will surely be sanctioned in Ham communities. We again commend our state government for conducting the local government elections in accordance with the Supreme Court’s judgment. These observations will surely bring not only relevant developments but also ensure peace and tranquility in Jaba land.”
