Gombe Governor Yahaya Warns New Appointees Against Inefficiency Ahead of 2027 Exit

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has warned newly appointed commissioners and special advisers against inefficiency, corruption and complacency, urging them to intensify service delivery as his administration approaches the end of its eight-year tenure in 2027.

Yahaya gave the warning on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony for the new appointees at the International Conference Centre in Gombe. He said the appointments were intended to strengthen governance, consolidate existing achievements and accelerate the completion of ongoing projects before the administration leaves office.

The governor described the coming months as the final stretch of an administration that began in May 2019, expressing appreciation for the progress recorded across various sectors despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recessions, fiscal pressures and security concerns.

He urged the appointees to regard their positions as a responsibility to serve the public rather than an opportunity for personal advancement, stressing the need for diligence, sound judgement, sacrifice and measurable results.

“At this stage of our administration, we have neither the luxury of time nor the resources to accommodate inefficiency, complacency or administrative lapses,” Yahaya said.

The governor directed commissioners to familiarise themselves with the policies, programmes and projects of their respective ministries and work closely with permanent secretaries and other senior officials. He said effective coordination and prudent management of public resources would be essential to delivering results before the transition in 2027.

Yahaya also tasked the special advisers with providing timely and practical recommendations to support executive decision-making, identify emerging challenges and improve policy implementation. He warned against corruption, indiscipline, abuse of office and unhealthy rivalry among government officials, insisting that public office must be exercised in the interest of residents.

Among the areas the administration intends to consolidate are road infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, water supply, environmental protection, urban development and institutional reforms. Yahaya also highlighted changes to civil service, land administration and local government administration, saying they were aimed at improving efficiency and responsiveness.

The newly appointed officials include Dr Ahmed Wali Doho, Special Duties and Regional Cooperation; Nasiru Adamu Degri, Water Resources; and Dr Muhammad A. Bello, Policy Coordination and Performance Tracking. Abdulmalik Musa Jibrin was appointed Special Adviser on Transportation, Mohammed Bashir Nuhu as Special Adviser on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, while Adamu Inuwa Pantami was named Special Adviser on Special Duties. Alhaji Shehu Yerima Abdullahi was redeployed to the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to fill an existing vacancy. Yahaya said his administration remained committed to handing over a state that was better than the one it inherited in 2019 and urged residents to support government efforts towards peace and sustainable development.