Ripples over appointment of 132 liaison officers for Kano LGAs

The appointment of three liaison officers for each of the 44 LGAs of Kano State by the state government has continued to generate controversy in the state with interested parties seeking clarification on the rationale behind the development.

Daily Trust reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) approved the appointment of three liaison officers for each of the 44 local government areas of the state to support his administration in delivering its key objectives.

Generally, liaison officers are used for achieving the best utilization of resources, or employment of services of one organization by another.

However, the development seems to challenge the sitting local government chairmen who are all members of the opposition party – the All Progressive Congress (APC).

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According to some of the interested parties, the appointment is a move to unseat the sitting chairmen since they cannot be removed outright by the government as they were elected for a tenure of office.

Speaking on this, the State Secretary, APC, Ibrahim Zakari Sarina, said the appointment was not in tune with the law and has nothing to do with the legal system of the local government areas and their functions.

“We don’t see them as any challenge. And we cannot say anything yet because we have not seen their schedule as to what they are going to do. You cannot do anything outside the constitution so they are wasting their time.

“You know the local government is an entity and they are trying to breach the law. What they are trying to do is that they want to bring the people closer to reduce pressure.

“Their appointments were not in order as they appointed those that did not suffer for it and had limited influence. So they are trying to bring the ones that can represent the people to cool down tension,” he said.

What the law says

When contacted on the legal perspective of the issue, a legal practitioner, Abba Hikima, said he was not aware of the development but it’s not outside the confines of the law.

“It is lawful and it is legal. As far as the government employs them, gives them the schedule of duty and everything, there is no problem.

“The government can employ anybody to do what it wants. Maybe there is a need to serve the people in whatever capacity, it’s not a big deal and not outside the law,” he said.

They’ll work hand in hand with LG chairmen – Gov’t clarifies

However, giving more clarification, Ibrahim Garba Shu’aibu, the Chief Press Secretary to the state Deputy Governor, said the liaison officers are to work hand in hand with the local government chairmen.

“They are to work hand in hand to support them, not to challenge any of their activities,” he emphasized.