Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has abolished the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in response to the Supreme Court’s judgment granting autonomy to local governments across Nigeria.
During a swearing-in ceremony for three new commissioners on Monday, Governor Mohammed announced the decision, stating, “We have dropped one of our commissioners – the former commissioner for health, (Dr. Adamu Sambo) because we have to reposition ourselves.
“First to reduce the cost of governance, shrink the establishments of the government and to implement the judgment of the Supreme Court on local government.”
He emphasized, “We will no longer have a commissioner for local government henceforth.”
The move comes after the Supreme Court’s ruling, which grants autonomy to local governments, making the ministry redundant.
The last commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, late Ahmed Aliyu Jalam, passed away in a road accident four months ago, while two others resigned to contest local government elections in August.
The new commissioners sworn in include Sani Mohammed Dambam, who will head the Ministry of Health; Zainab Babatakko, Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development; and Engr. Mohammed Abdulk will head Ministry of Commerce.