The newly sworn-in chairman of Zaki Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Ibrahim Chiroma, broke down in tears while taking his oath of office, following the death of his predecessor, Masud Aliyu Umar.
Chiroma struggled to recite the oath as tears filled his eyes during the low-key swearing-in ceremony held on Friday night at the Deputy Governor’s mini conference room.
Umar died last Sunday while travelling from Bauchi to Zaki after attending a stakeholders’ meeting of the Allied People’s Movement.
His tenure as council chairman was brief, having been elected on August 17, 2026.
The ceremony was attended by a few government officials, reflecting the sombre mood in the council following Umar’s death.
The Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, was represented at the event by Justice Sa’ad Muhammad Sambo, who administered the oath of office.
Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, congratulated Chiroma on his emergence and urged him to justify the confidence placed in him through effective leadership and dedicated service.
Jatau said the new chairman had assumed office at a difficult time for the political team following the death of Umar, whom he described as a loyal and committed leader.
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He urged Chiroma to uphold the values of loyalty, teamwork and commitment demonstrated by his predecessor.
The deputy governor also charged him to make the protection of lives and property a priority, stressing that local government leadership came with responsibilities beyond the immediate constituency.
He advised Chiroma to maintain cordial relationships with political leaders, colleagues and residents, saying his conduct would shape his political future.
“What you are today is a result of what you were yesterday, while what you shall become tomorrow largely depends on how you behave and relate with your superiors as well as those you govern,” Jatau said.
He further urged the new chairman to work with other party stakeholders to secure electoral victories for the party at state and national levels.
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