In a landmark move to expand grassroots governance and address long-standing structural imbalances, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Monday signed the Local Council Development Areas (Creation & Administration) Bill into law, officially establishing 13 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state.
The new law raises the number of local administrative units in Gombe from 11 to 24. Governor Yahaya described the development as a “bold, constitutional, and people-driven reform” aimed at bringing governance closer to communities that have long been underserved.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Government House, the governor explained that the LCDAs were delineated based on existing state constituencies and modeled after successful examples elsewhere in Nigeria.
Citing Sections 4(7) and 5(2b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he said the creation of the LCDAs was legally grounded and aligned with Chapter II of the Constitution, which mandates the government to promote security, welfare, and inclusive democratic participation.
“Gombe has one of the fewest LGAs in the country, despite its large landmass and fast-growing population,” the governor said. “This has hindered development and limited government’s reach in many rural areas. With this reform, we are correcting a historical imbalance.”
Governor Yahaya directed both the existing Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the newly created LCDAs to focus on four critical sectors: security, basic education, primary healthcare, and agriculture. He also issued a six-month timeline for all councils to begin showing measurable progress in these areas.
To ensure a smooth rollout, the governor announced the formation of a Transition Technical Committee headed by the Deputy Governor. The committee includes the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioners for Local Government and Finance, ALGON Chairman and Deputy, Director-General of the Joint Projects Development Agency, the State Auditor-General, and the Chairman of NULGE. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will serve as secretary.
An Executive Order is expected soon to formalize the committee’s mandate. Meanwhile, Interim Management Committees will be set up to administer the LCDAs pending their full operationalization and the conduct of local elections.
Presenting the bill for assent, Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo, commended the legislative process, highlighting the House’s engagement with stakeholders across the state, including public hearings and consultations.
“We made thoughtful amendments to ensure the bill is not only legally sound but also practical and tailored to the development needs of our communities,” the Speaker said.
Adding legal perspective, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubair Muhammad Umar, said the establishment of LCDAs was in line with ongoing national constitutional reform efforts. He noted that converting INEC-defined state constituencies into LCDAs offered a practical solution to growing demands for more local governments, within current constitutional constraints.
In his remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, hailed the signing of the bill as a major milestone in Gombe’s journey toward inclusive governance and efficient service delivery.
“These 13 new LCDAs will create more opportunities for citizen engagement, enhance administrative presence in rural areas, and ensure more responsive governance,” Njodi said.
Governor Yahaya concluded by drawing a parallel between this reform and the creation of Gombe State in 1996, noting that while structural reforms often come with challenges, they are essential for long-term progress.
“The Gombe of today has outgrown its original framework. This reform will position our state for greater development and ensure no community is left behind,” he said.