Governor Umar Bago of Nigerâs appointment of a former state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Jibrin Imam, as chairman of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission, has sparked a fresh debate in the polity.
As reported by Daily Nigerian, the governor, also appointed a former APC state secretary, M.A. Liman; former Commissioner Amina Guar; and other chieftains of the ruling party as permanent commissioners of the commission.
The only non-partisan member of the commission is Yahaya Idris Abara who until his new appointment was a staff of the NSIEC.
The appointments were confirmed in a statement by the governor’s chief press secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.
Reacting, a prominent activist in the state, Yahaya Mohammed-Usman, in a post on his Facebook page, urged the governor to quickly review the list to avoid any litigation in future.
Mr Usman said:
Reacting, the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the appointment in a statement signed by Yahaya Ability, State Vice Chairman and Zonal Chairman, Niger North Senatorial District.
He questioned the governorâs decision, saying, âWhy is your own different, imposing your will on the people without carrying everyone along?â
Also, a member of the PDP, Malami Abdullahi, said the governor has always been rigid in his appointments and failed to reverse any of his appointments over public outcry.
Mr Abdullahi, however, said despite the pressures from the NLC, Mr Bago refused to bow.
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In another development, TimesNow.com.ng earlier reported that Niger Governor Umaru Bago announced N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state, starting in November.
After a closed-door meeting with labour; the governor announced the development, adding that the new minimum wage was sustainable.
This made Governor Bago become the first governor from the northern region to announce a minimum wage as high as N80,000 for workers in the state.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
