Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has issued a suspension to Hon. Idrissa Mai Bukar Machina, Chairman of Machina Local Government Council, citing allegations of misconduct and insubordination.
After their electoral victory on June 8, newly sworn-in chairmen took swift action, notably in Machina where tensions flared over compliance with directives issued by Governor Buni. The Governor’s directive mandated the swearing-in of vice chairmen, local government secretaries, and councilors by newly elected local government chairmen. However, Bashir Machina, the suspended chairman, reportedly refused to comply, triggering a significant dispute within Machina’s factionalized political landscape.
Machina’s area is known for its deep factional divisions, primarily between two major groups vying for control, exacerbated by influential local figures like Bashir Machina and Hon. Barma Shattima, the Commissioner of Youth and Sports. These factions have clashed over local appointments and adherence to state directives, intensifying the existing divisions.
Sources within local government circles have indicated that Machina’s suspension is intended as a warning to other officials about the critical importance of loyalty and compliance with state directives. According to one insider, tensions escalated when conflicting appointments were made, particularly regarding the secretaryship of the local government, leading to Governor Buni’s intervention through Deputy Governor Idi Barde Gubana. Despite Gubana’s directive to halt the swearing-in process, Machina allegedly refused, leading directly to his suspension.
In response to the allegations against him, the suspended chairman reflected philosophically, stating, “I have handed over the local government council affairs to the vice chairman. In politics, these challenges are not new; we live with our destiny. Whether my suspension is politically motivated or not, we respect the state government’s decision and will comply with their directives.”
Governor Buni’s absence during this period, due to international travel, has highlighted the deputy governor’s role in handling the local governance crisis, underscoring the delicate balance of power and authority within Machina’s political circles.
