Nanumba South Assembly Member petitions Local Government Minister over delayed Presiding Member election

An Assembly Member for the Tinageria Electoral Area in the Nanumba South District, Tadon Nasangen Samuel, has petitioned the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to intervene in what he describes as a prolonged failure to re-conduct the election of a Presiding Member for the Assembly.

In a petition dated November 11, 2026, Mr Samuel also called for an investigation into the Assembly’s alleged failure to participate in a nationwide leadership training programme organised by the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS).

He said the Assembly, which has 41 members, held two rounds of voting on June 10, 2026, to elect a Presiding Member, but neither candidate secured the required two-thirds majority of 28 votes.

According to the petition, Mr Samuel obtained 13 votes in the first round, while Mahamudu Mutaru secured 17 votes, with nine ballots declared spoilt.

In the second round, Mr Samuel increased his votes to 17, while Mr Mutaru obtained 14 votes. Eight ballots were spoilt.

He said one Assembly Member was absent and the District Chief Executive declined to vote in both rounds.

Mr Samuel argued that despite the unsuccessful attempts, no subsequent election had been organised to complete the process.

He expressed concern that the delay could constitute non-compliance with Article 244 of the 1992 Constitution, Section 17 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), and provisions of the Revised Model Standing Orders for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

He specifically cited Order 9(4-5) of the Standing Orders, which he said requires a further election within 10 days after unsuccessful attempts.

The Assembly Member further raised concerns about the regularity of meetings and decisions taken by the Assembly since June 11, 2026, in the absence of an elected Presiding Member.

He is therefore asking the Minister to direct the Northern Regional Coordinating Council to facilitate a fresh election, investigate the reasons for the delay and undertake a legal and administrative review of the Assembly’s proceedings and decisions during the period.

On the leadership training programme, Mr Samuel alleged that Nanumba South District Assembly did not participate in the nationwide Next Generation Leadership Training Programme organised by the ILGS for Assembly Members and other local government officials.

He said members had not received a satisfactory explanation for the Assembly’s non-participation and called on the Ministry to establish the circumstances surrounding the matter.

He is also seeking arrangements for affected Assembly Members to benefit from the training.

Mr Samuel has requested a written response outlining the findings and measures to be taken, with an initial response within 14 days of receipt of the petition, where practicable.

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