Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has officially abolished the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in response to the Supreme Court’s recent judgment granting greater autonomy to local governments across Nigeria.
During a swearing-in ceremony for three new commissioners on Monday, Governor Mohammed announced the significant restructuring, stating, “We have decided to drop one of our commissioners – the former commissioner for health, Dr. Adamu Sambo – as part of our efforts to reposition our administration.”
He further explained, “This decision is aimed at reducing the cost of governance, streamlining government establishments, and implementing the Supreme Court’s judgment regarding local government autonomy. We will no longer have a commissioner for local government henceforth.”
The abolition of the ministry follows the Supreme Court ruling, which rendered the ministry redundant by granting more power and independence to local governments.
The last commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, the late Ahmed Aliyu Jalam, passed away in a road accident four months ago. Additionally, two other commissioners had resigned to run for local government elections in August.
The newly appointed commissioners are Sani Mohammed Dambam, who will oversee the Ministry of Health; Zainab Babatakko, who will head the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development; and Engr. Mohammed Abdulk, who will lead the Ministry of Commerce.
