Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday inaugurated the state Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC), charging them to discharge their duties in accordance with the oaths of their offices.
He also swore in chairman and members of the Kwara State Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC).
The Governor also aswore-in Justice Abiodun Adebara and Kadi Abdullateef Kamaldeen as substantive Chief Judge of the state and Grand Khadi of the state Shariah Court of Appeal respectively, restating his administration’s commitment to the rule of law and non-interference in the justice system.
Members of the KWSIEC are: Okala Baba (Chairman); Edret Sabi Abel; Engr. Hassan Taiye Salam; Gbadeyan Gbadura Yomi; Ndama Al-hassan; Saka Balikis Kehinde; and Engr. Abdullah Janet Amudat (members).
For FRC, the members are Abubakar Abdullahi Uthman (Chairman); Oyedun Juliana Funke (member); Yusuf AbdulGaniyu Aremu (member); and Abdul Gana Lukpada (member).
The Governor said the inauguration of the KWSIEC officially kicks off the process to conduct the local government elections in the state.
He said: “Today’s inauguration of the chairman and members of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) officially kicks off the process for the conduct of the local government elections in the state.
“I charge all of you to consider this as an important duty to our state. I also assure you of our full support to conduct the local government polls, which would usher in new leaderships specifically for grassroots development.
“I urge you to discharge your duties in accordance with your oath of office. It is also important for you to properly engage with all the stakeholders in the electoral process, especially the political parties and the populace”.
AbdulRazaq enjoined members of the FRC to operate within the confines of the law, noting this will help to promote fiscal discipline, accountability, and effective service delivery to the people of the state.
At the event were Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; members of the State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi; new Chief Judge, Justice Adebara; new Grand Kadi Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice Kamaldeen; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Mamman Saba Jibril; Head of Service, Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole; some other cabinet members; and some family members of the appointees.
The SSG charged all the appointees to make discipline, sincerity, and dedication to duties their watchwords, saying their appointments were based on their good credentials.
“You are fortunate to be appointed by the Executive Governor of Kwara State to your respective posts. It is not far from the fact that you are of good character, and that you have been contributing positively to the success of this state”, he said.
Uthman of the FRC, and KWSIEC’s Baba thanked the Governor for giving them the opportunity to serve in those capacities and promised not to let the people of Kwara State down.
While swearing in the Chief Judge and Grand Khadi of the state Shariah Court of Appeal, the Governor said: “I have been told that this is the first time that the Chief Judge and the Grand Khadi will take their oaths of Allegiance and Judicial Oaths on the same occasion. This is coming just after the overwhelming majority of the people of Kwara State have renewed our mandate to serve them for another term of four years.
“The state is therefore at the threshold of history as the leaderships of the three arms of government are assuming fresh mandates about the same period. This imposes on us a duty to work together for the larger interest of our people while respecting the boundaries of separation of powers.
“As Your Lordships assume your role of leading and guiding the judiciary, I would like to re-state my administration’s commitment to the rule of law and non-interference in the justice system”.
AbdulRazaq congratulated the two judicial officers on their appointments and urged them to commit themselves to duties in line with the constitutional oaths they have just subscribed to.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Senior Ibrahim Sulyman said: “We are gathered to witness the performance of the constitutional duty of the Executive Governor of Kwara State as enjoined by the provision of Section 271(1) and 276(1) of the 1999 constitution which vested the Governor with the power to appoint the Chief Judge of Kwara State and Grand Kadi for the Shariah Court of Appeal upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and confirmation by the House of Assembly.
“I commend Your Excellency for the continuous support of the judicial arm of government and pray that Almighty God continue to see Your Excellency through in all your undertakings and commitments to take this State to greater heights”.
The swearing in was attended by several dignitaries from government, the bar and the bench, as well as the clergy, such as Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu; members of the state legislative, judiciary and executive arms; and traditional rulers.
The Chief Judge assured the governor and the people of Kwara State that brother-judges, together with the entire workforce of the Kwara State Judiciary, are committed to serving the people to the best of their abilities.
He added: “I would like to take a moment here to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to His Excellency, the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for my appointment as the Chief Judge. I am humbled and honoured to have been so appointed.
“Without mincing words, Your Excellency, permit me to say here publicly that I see our appointments as another of Your Excellency’s commitments to promoting justice, equity, and fairness in our state. By allowing the exercise to proceed seamlessly without any rancour or controversy, you have demonstrated remarkable leadership in giving a sense of belonging to all.”
He commended the Governor for his hard work, humility, and commitment to raising the bar of good governance and service to the people — qualities he said had just earned AbdulRazaq a new term of four years.
