Nasarawa LG Poll: l won’t disappoint you if you vote for me – Jonathan tells N/Eggon people
… Run open door policy
By Faith AM
A leading Chairmanship aspirant of the ruling All Progressive Congress in Nasarawa Eggon local government area of Nasarawa State, Hon. Jonathan Markus Umbugu has promised not to disappoint the people of the area if he is voted in as the chairman.
Jonathan made the promise in an exclusive interview with journalists in Nasarawa Eggon on Monday.
He said following his contributions to the development of the area, he was overwhelmed with the support of a mammoth crowd of party leaders and supporters, and expressed gratitude to the people for the unflinching support and love shown towards him and especially the 2024 project.
Jonathan promised to run an open door policy if elected and ensure the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the local government and beyond.
According to him, among others, students, market women will be assisted and supported to alleviate their sufferings just as he said farmers will be encouraged to put food on the tables of the citizens.
According to him “I am making it known to you emphatically today that if you vote for me as the candidate of our great party, the APC and I am ultimately elected the chairman of Nasarawa Eggon local government council, I will surely bring good dividends of democracy to you”.
This was not unconnected to the coming days of the party’s primary elections ahead of the November 2nd local government poll in Nasarawa State.
FMBlog reported that the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) has announced November 2, 2024 for the conduct of the local government elections.
Chairman of the NASIEC, Barrister Ayuba Usman Wandai disclosed this during a meeting with members of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the headquarters of the commission in Lafia on Wednesday.
The tenure of the present elected local government officials is expected to end on October 7, 2024, having spent three years in office following their election on October 6, 2021.
Addressing the IPAC, Barrister Wandai recounted how the Commission had to indefinitely suspend its earlier plan to conduct the 2024 council polls on August 31st, after some individuals took NASIEC to court.
According to him, “you will recall that the Commission conducted the last Local Government Councils Elections on Wednesday 6th October, 2021 and the present Local Government Councils Officials were sworn-in and inaugurated on Friday 8th October, 2021 for a tenure of three years which will end on Monday 7th October, 2024.
“You will also recall that in compliance with Extant Laws, the Commission had earlier issued a Notice of Election for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections on 31st August, 2023 and also fixed Saturday 31st August, 2024 for the conduct of the elections.
“As a law-abiding institution that has continued to promote adherence to Laws, Rules and Regulations governing the conduct of Local Government Councils Elections in Nasarawa State, the Commission decided to postpone indefinitely, all scheduled activities leading to the conduct of the 31st August, 2024 Local Government Councils Elections.
“However, the Commission was served with an Originating Summons by the Federal High Court, Lafia in a matter filed by one Paul A. John, Esq. and 12 Others against the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, challenging Section 8(e) of the Nasarawa State Local Government Election Law, 2018 and Sections 3j, 3k and 9 of the Local Government Councils Elections Guidelines, 2024,” he stated.
He further said the commission is ready to hold the council polls after securing victory at the law courts.
“Having had our day in court by emerging victorious, the court dismissed the suit and upheld all our contentions. The plaintiffs, being dissatisfied with the judgement, filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal Makurdi but have suddenly filed a Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of Notice of Appeal on Thursday 26th September, 2024 thus clearing the way for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections.
“The Commission has after studying and analyzing the judgement of the Federal High Court Lafia decided today 2nd October, 2024 to issue a Notice of Election and slated the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections to hold on 2nd November, 2024,” he added.