Al-Makura swears in newly elected Nasarawa council chairmen

There have been continued clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Nasarawa and Benue.
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura, has inaugurated the newly elected local government council chairmen in the state.
The inauguration was done on Tuesday in Lafia, the state capital.
Mr. Al-Makura said that Nasarawa State was rated high in the observance of democratic tenets, having completed election of officials into the three tiers of government through the ballot box.
The governor, who commended residents for their political maturity, said the election and subsequent rerun in some local government areas were peaceful, free, fair and credible. He charged the new council chairmen to be transparent, accountable and God-fearing in piloting the affairs of their various councils.
Mr. Al-Makura assured them that the state government would grant them free hand in the performance of their duties in line with the provision of the constitution. He, however, warned them against misappropriation of council funds, adding that local government funds should be used in meeting the needs of the people.
The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, NASIEC, had on March 23 declared election in Nasarawa, Akwanga and Obi local government areas of the state inconclusive.
The electoral body conducted rerun council elections in the three local government areas of the state on Monday.
The rerun elections were won by the All Progressive Congress, APC.
With declaration of the entire results, the APC won in nine of the 13 local government areas, while the PDP won in four.
Mr. Al-Makura also advised traditional rulers in Benue and Nasarawa States to work together to resolve the lingering clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the two states.
He stressed that dialogue and reconciliation through community approach were the best options to end the lingering feud that had claimed lives and property.
He condemned comments by some persons he described as critical stakeholders, over the incessant clashes, saying that such utterances would further aggravate violence.
Mr. Al-Makura, therefore, called on traditional rulers in the two states to remain focused and work assiduously towards restoring peace in the area.
He emphasised the need for all parties in the feud to shun suspicion and pursue the course of peace and reconciliation.
“In spite of the skirmishes, Nasarawa State is peaceful and government is committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property of all citizens,” he said.
(NAN)