By: Sani A. Garba
The Electoral Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP), Abdu Gusau Polytechnic Talata Mafara, Zamfara State chapter, inaugurated its newly elected executive officials of the union.
The new executives of the chapter took their oath of office on Wednesday, February 7, under the supervision of the union National Publicity Secretary who doubled as North West Zonal Coordinator of the union Mr. Nura Abubakar Ambursa.
During the inauguration, Mr. Ambursa said “SSANIP election is inshrine in the Constitution as provision for end of tenure or when vacancy exists
When asked on the readiness of the election, the Zonal Coordinator confirmed that the Election Committee informed them that all necessary requirements for the election were adequately provided, including election sensitive materials and voter enlightenment.
“The voter turnout is reasonably appreciated considering the numbers of the electorate and the numbers of accredited voters, which gives a 72% turnout despite the economic constraints” Mr. Ambursa noted
The North West Zonal Coordinator further described that the election was free and fair because it has long been announced for the interested members of SSANIP to contest any position, but only two positions were contested for: the Assistant Secretary and the Financial Secretary; all other positions were unopposed”.
“Perhaps, I received no complaints from candidates and electorates that challenged the credibility of the election. However, the winners emerge with a simple majority” he added.
Mr. Ambursa admonished the new executives not to use the union to foment trouble; he urged them to prioritize their employment at the state-owned institution.
He appealed to them to foster a mutual relationship with other unions in the school to move the institution forward.
While extending his profound gratitude to the management of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara, SSANIP, and Registrar, Mallam Kabiru Musa Abdullahi, Mr. Ambursa thanked them for their support in maintaining peace and unity and improving the staff welfare of the polytechnic before, during and after the election.
Similarly, he delivered the national union’s condolences to the family and the polytechnic community of the death of late Sanusi Kaka, who passed away, praying may Allah make Jannatu Firdausi his final abode.
During his acceptance address, the newly sworn-in chairman, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar expressed gratitude to SSANIP members for their trust in him.
“In order to uphold the union’s interests, I pledged to remain honest and collaborate with all members.
The chairman further said “I want to assure you that I see this mandate as an opportunity to serve. It’s a fresh start, thank you to all my brothers who cast their ballots for all of us. We will never betray your trust”. He added.
The new chairman thanked the union’s immediate past executives for effectively leading the union’s operations over the last two years and acknowledged the electoral committee’s effort to install a new Exco.
“The new leadership will embrace dialogue in all we do to resolve labor-related issues,”
“Our doors are always open to meaningful suggestions and contributions towards improving the welfare of our members.” He said.
Similarly, he encouraged the other executive members elected to view their election victories as a call to duty to determine how the union could best keep going, even as he congratulated them on their victories.
Office of the Vice Chairman, Kabiru Malami Ibrahim, Secretary General Manir Garba Gusau, Treasurer Nasiru Ahmed Gusau, Auditor General Abdulrahaman SB Mohammed, PRO Mansur Abdulmumin, and women leader Emelda Sunday Ekpo are unopposed.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary was won by Lawali Sani Bungudu, defeating Lawali Suleiman, and the Office of the Financial Secretary was won by Ibrahim Sahabi, defeating Musa Umar Gusau.
