I believed in the effectiveness, efficacy of local government system- Mutfwang….unveils state electoral commission members
By Agada Daniel, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has stated
that he is a firm believer in the effectiveness and efficacy of the local government system.
Governor Mutfwang said he believed government must come closer to the people. “And the only way we can get government and governance closer to the people is to allow the people themselves to elect those who they want to lead them.”
He made this known while inaugurating Hon.Plangji Daniel Chishak as chairman of Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) alongside 7 other members, held Monday at the new government House Little Rayfield, Jos.
Governor Mutfwang revealed it is unfortunate that when they came on board they had to dissolve PLASIEC as they were illegally constituted by the previous administration, adding that the dissolution premised on sound legal footing.
Turning to the new members of PLASIEC, the Governor acknowledged they were care fully selected based on their track records.
He said they are coming in at a time when the Commission has a trust deficit. “People no longer believe that state electoral commissions should exist. And they are even calling that they should be scrapped.
“I certainly don’t agree with that. Because we are operating a Federal system. Ours is a Federation. It’s not a unitary government. And if people are worried about allowing local government system to work,
they should also allow the states to function.
“So, the responsibility is yours.
The ball is in your court. That you rise to the occasion and set out modalities for credible elections that even international organizations will have to come and monitor. So we are not joking about this.
“Our desire is to claim the global space, even though we are operating locally. So let me congratulate you and wish you a very successful tenure and hope that your names will be written in gold”, he noted.
Speaking on behalf of members, PLASIEC chairman, Plangji Daniel Chishak opines they received the calling with every sense of commitment to serve.
He assured the commission readiness of following due process and working within the confirmed of rule of law, and transparency gear towards engaging all stakeholders on the Plateau.
