Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has directed Musa Isyaku to vacate the office of the Chairman, Katcha Local Government Area of the state with immediate effect.
A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane explained that government inadvertently swore in Musa Isyaku without taking into consideration the right of appeal provided under Sections 26, 27 and 28 of the Local Government (Council Elections) Law 2003 and Section 138 of the Electoral Act 2022.
According to the SSG, “by the provision of these sections and several judicial decisions, Hon. Abdullahi Danlami Saku will continue to be in office until his appeal is finally determined. He added that it is instructive to note that Musa Isyaku was sworn- in without a Certificate of Return issued by Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) contrary to the Judgement of the Court”.
Ahmed Matane revealed that Governor Sani Bello has ordered Hon. Abdullahi Danlami Saku to continue to be in office as Chairman of Katcha Local Government Area pending the determination of the Appeal.
As a law-abiding government, the present administration is fully committed to the rule of law and will never deprive any citizen of the state of his/her inalienable rights as provided by the laws, the statement stressed.
The state governor called on the citizens of the state and the people of Katcha Local Government Area in particular to remain orderly as well as maintain peace in the area as Hon. Abdullahi Danlami Saku is allowed to continue to perform the functions of his office pending the final determination of his appeal in accordance with the law.
The statement pointed out that the state government regrets any inconveniences the error might cause the citizenry.
It would be recalled that on the 24th day of February 2023, the government erroneously swore-in Musa Isyaku as the Chairman of Katcha Local Government Area of the state based on the judgement of the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in Petition No: MN/LGEP/01/2022 delivered on the 23rd day of February 2023.
