Published on 05/20/2008

Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma has charged residents of Nasarawa State to rise up to the challenge of reforming the electoral system in Nigeria.

Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma has charged residents of Nasarawa State to rise up to the challenge of reforming the electoral system in Nigeria. The Governor gave this charge while inaugurating a high-powered committee charge with the responsibility of articulating the position of Nasarawa State in various national committees that have been set up for the purpose.

In an address to the 18-member committee, the Governor stated this was a long awaited opportunity for the people of Nasarawa State to articulate our collective views and interests and present them before these national Committees. He continued that this was to be done in the best interest of our social, political and economic growth and development.

Responding to the Governor's address, the Chairman of the Committee and Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Aliyu Ogah, thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed on them and promised to give their best to ensure that the interest of the people of Nasarawa State was articulated in all the committees.

It will be recalled that President Yar'Adua recently constituted the Presidential Electoral Reform Committee under the chairmanship of the Honourable Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, former Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the same vein, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, also set up a Constitution Review Committee with a view to consulting and collating public opinions towards the amendment of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) set up a Committee to address the contentious issue of delineation of Federal Constituencies.

The Nasarawa State High-Powered Committee is expected to collate and articulate the positions of Nasarawa State to these national committees.

The Membership of the Committee is as follows:

i. His Royal Highness,

Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu O. Onawo

Andoma of Doma - Chairman

ii. Alhaji Usman Dubagari

Head of Civil Service - Member

iii. Mr. Jonah O. Ogbole

Special Adviser, Political Affairs - Member

iv. Alhaji Musa Hassan Muhammad

Special Adviser, Local Government

and Chieftaincy Affairs - Member

v. Mrs. Theresa M. Wuya

Special Adviser, Women Affairs - Member

vi. Barr. Simon S. Aboki

Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary,

Ministry of Justice - Member

vii. His Royal Highness,

Alhaji Lawal Musa Nagogo

Oriye Rindre - Member

viii. His Royal Highness,

Pharm. Luka Panya Baba

Esu Karu - Member

ix. Senator Walid Jibrin

Sarkin Fulanin Nasarawa - Member

x. Senator Emmanuel O. Okpede

Office of the Senate President,

National Assembly, Abuja - Member

xi. Barr. Tanimu Adabson

Former Attorney-General/

Commissioner of Justice - Member

xii. Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi Kore

Former Commissioner,

Ministry of Local Government and

Chieftaincy Affairs - Member

xiii. Mr. Dogara Igube

Former Commissioner, Budget and

Planning - Member

xiv. Mr. Solomon Nghargbu

Former Executive Chairman,

Kokona Local Government Council - Member

xv. Alhaji Zakari Yakubu, MFR

(Sarkin Gishirin Awe)

Secretary-Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI),

Nasarawa State Chapter - Member

xvi. Rev. Jerry Moddibo,

Chairman,

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),

Nasarawa State Chapter - Member

xvii. Alhaji Jibrin Is’haq Bunu

Permanent Secretary (Political Affairs),

Office of the Secretary to the

State Government - Secretary.

xviii. Mr. Bulus Amoyi

Director, Office of the Head of

Civil Service. - Deputy Secretary