Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya: Champion of Local Government Autonomy and Grassroots Transformation in Gombe State
By Abdulkadir Aliyu Shehu
In a country where centralization often overshadows grassroots development, one leader is redefining the narrative Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Executive Governor of Gombe State. Since taking office in 2019, Governor Inuwa Yahaya has become a trailblazer, recognized as the only governor in Nigeria who has granted full autonomy to local government areas (LGAs), allowing them to function independently and efficiently.
Before his administration came into power, the situation in Gombe State’s 11 LGAs was bleak. Local governments were unable to pay workers’ salaries without resorting to monthly borrowing. The financial strain hindered development, weakened morale among civil servants, and left essential grassroots projects abandoned.
However, since Governor Inuwa Yahaya took the reins, that era of financial hardship has become a thing of the past.
Under Governor Inuwa’s visionary leadership, all 11 local governments in Gombe State now enjoy full autonomy politically, administratively, and most crucially, financially. They no longer depend on the state government for monthly subventions to pay salaries. Today, salaries are paid regularly and independently, a major shift that has boosted accountability and trust in local governance.
One of the most remarkable achievements of this administration is the near-complete clearance of the pension backlog dating back to 2012. For over a decade, retired workers across Gombe’s LGAs were left unpaid, their entitlements stuck in bureaucratic delays. Thanks to the governor’s reforms and financial discipline, these payments are now being settled bringing relief and dignity to thousands of retirees.
In his recent quarterly media chat, broadcast live across all radio and television stations based in Gombe State, Governor Inuwa Yahaya addressed the people directly. He highlighted his administration’s key achievements and reiterated his commitment to transparency and public service. His regular engagement with the media has become a hallmark of open governance, providing citizens with a platform to hear from their leader and hold the government accountable.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya is widely seen as a “people’s governor” a leader who leads by example, prioritizes the needs of the people, and governs with sincerity. His commitment to honesty, transparency, and good governance has earned him admiration far beyond Gombe State.
The legacy he is building one rooted in empowering local governments, paying workers and pensioners without delay, and engaging openly with the public is rare in Nigerian political history. His leadership style is one that others can emulate but few can match.
In a time where local governments across Nigeria continue to struggle under the weight of central control and financial mismanagement, Gombe State stands tall as a shining example of what visionary leadership can achieve. Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has brought dignity, financial freedom, and developmental progress to the grassroots truly setting a new standard.
Kudos to Governor Inuwa Yahaya a true servant of the people, and a legacy-builder whose impact will be remembered for generations in Gombe State and beyond.
Abdulkadir Aliyu Shehu a Journalist, writes from Gombe and can be reached via 08039644376 or danfodio247@gmail.com
