Governor Dauda Lawal has appointed Bala Gusau as the Chairman of the Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC), ahead of the upcoming local government elections in the state.
The appointment was announced in a statement on Friday by Suleman Tudu, the Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Secretary to the State Government.
“Governor Dauda Lawal, exercising the powers vested in him by the Zamfara State Electoral Laws, has approved the appointment of Bala Aliyu Gusau as the new Chairman of the Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC),” the statement read.
The appointment follows the passing of the former chairman of the commission. The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada, noted that the appointment is subject to confirmation by the Zamfara State House of Assembly.
Bala Gusau brings extensive experience to the role. He holds two postgraduate certificates in leadership and development from Galilee College, Israel, and Kansas State University, USA, along with a B.Sc Ed in Economics from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. His public service career spans over three decades, during which he served as a Director in the Zamfara State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and later in various capacities within the National Television Authority (NTA), including Zonal Director for Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, and Director of Special Duties at NTA Headquarters in Abuja.
Gusau also previously served as a Permanent Member of the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board before his new appointment.
Governor Lawal expressed confidence in Gusau’s ability to lead ZASIEC and ensure the commission conducts free, fair, and credible local government elections.
Zamfara, along with many other states, is expected to conduct local government elections in the coming months, following a Supreme Court ruling that granted autonomy to local governments. The Federal Government has since mandated states to hold council polls.