The Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has sworn in 24 newly elected Local Government and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairmen following the local council elections held on June 27, 2026.
The newly inaugurated officials comprise 11 Local Government Area chairmen and 13 LCDA chairmen, marking a significant step in strengthening grassroots governance across the state.
The newly sworn-in chairmen are:
1. Akko LGA: Abubakar Usman Barambu
2. Akko West LCDA: Garba Yakubu Wali
3. Akko North LCDA: Bello Suleiman
4. Balanga LGA: Ibrahim Salisu
5. Balanga South LCDA: Ali Philip Jisimah
6. Billiri LGA: Mrs Egla Idris
7. Billiri West LCDA: Yila Maidawa (Billiri
8. Dukku LGA: Abubakar Adamu
9. (Dukku North LCDA), Damina Sardauna
10. Funakaye LGA: Ibrahim Adamu Cheldu
11: Funakaye South LCDA: Mijinyawa Mohammed Tilde
12: Gombe LGA: Prof. Abdullahi Bappa Bello
13. Gombe South LCDA: Auwal Jauro Bappi
14. Kalyungo LGA: Silas B Pharis
15. Kaltungo East LCDA: Dr. Barnabas Malle
16. Kwami LGA: Ibrahim Buba Makama
17: Kwami Wes LCDA): Sa’ad Abdulmumini
18. Nafada LGA: Babangida Adamu
19. Nafada South LCDA: Kasimu Ahmed Abdullahi
20. Shongom LGA: Modi Shelpidi
21. Pero Shonge LCDA: Dr. Sani James Barka
22. Yamaltu Deba LGA: Yakubu Yunusa Deba
23. Yamaltu East LCDA: Musa Alhassan Jagali
24. Yamaltu West LCDA: Mohammed Ahmed Kunji
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Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Yahaya urged the chairmen to lead with integrity, humility, transparency, dedication, and the fear of God.
He reminded them that they now carry the hopes and aspirations of the people and should always prioritise the public interest over personal considerations.
The governor acknowledged the challenges facing rural communities, including insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, youth unemployment, and limited economic opportunities, calling on the new leaders to work towards addressing these issues.
He described the state’s LCDA reform as one of the most transformative governance initiatives in Gombe’s history, noting that modern headquarters have been built, staff harmonisation completed, and administrative processes finalized to ensure the councils’ effective take-off.
Governor Yahaya also highlighted the financial turnaround of local governments since 2019, saying prudent financial management had restored stability, enabling councils to pay salaries promptly, clear gratuity arrears, execute capital projects, and improve service delivery.
He also commended the Joint Projects Development Agency for fostering collaboration between the state and local governments.
Commending the peaceful and credible conduct of the local government elections, the governor congratulated the newly elected chairmen and praised the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission, security agencies, election officials, political parties, observers, the media, and residents for their roles in the successful exercise.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Governor Yahaya urged the chairmen to deliver responsive leadership and tangible development at the grassroots, stressing that their performance should serve as the strongest campaign for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The swearing-in ceremony officially marks the beginning of the new council administrations, which will serve until the next local government elections.
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn-in chairmen, the Chairman of Gombe Local Government, Professor Abdullahi Bappa Bello, pledged that they would not let the Gombe State Government down but would ensure that the message of unity and development reached the grassroots across the state.
The chairmen were given new operational vehicles for their duties to the grassroots.
