From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
In line with its constitutional provision to conduct election of leaders expected to steer the affairs of its organization after every 2 years, the Rigasa Action And Awareness Forum (RAAF) Kaduna, has once again elected new executive officers expected to run the affairs of the Forum.
The election process which commenced at about 9:00 a.m. with the registration of agents, screening of eligible voters and casting of votes, took place on Sunday at Government Day Secondary School (GSS) Makarfi, Rigasa Kaduna.
However, the RAAF Electoral Committee (ELCOM) and Caretaker Committee (CTC), Traditional Leaders, Security Agents with internal and external observers and Community members were heavily present at the scene of the event.
RAAF Kaduna happens to be one of the biggest and mother organization of the Rigasa community that everyone both in-house and outside listened to due to its capacity, while it remains a pressure group that ensure it brings what belongs to the community for the benefit of the people and the community at large.
According to many sources at the event, such elections of the Forum had not been observed since 2017 when Architect. Abubakar Rabi’u took over the leadership of the Forum before handing over to his VP.1 Comrade Isma’il Muhammad and the same was replicated to Malam Aminu Halilu in early 2023 in acting capacity which led to the formation of the Caretaker Committee (CTC) headed by Malam Yusuf Wada.
Meanwhile, before pronouncing the winners of the election, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee (ELCOM), Malam Abdulmummuni Mohammed expressed joy with gratitude to Almighty God for the peaceful conduct of the election, while appraising both members of the ELCOM, CTC, contestants and the electorate for ensuring positive outcome.
Malam Abdulmummuni urged all the contestants to accept the results with good faith, saying that in every election there must be a winner and a loser, but the most important part is for all to believe in the spirit of having good faith in the outcome of the results for the benefit of the Forum and progress of the community.
However, while pronouncing the winners, the ELCOM Chairman, declared that Malam Hassan Abubakar returned Elected as the new RAAF President having defeated his opponent Malam Aminu Halilu Umar with 69 votes to 19, Pharm. Mustapha Umar was the newly elected Secretary General, while Hajiya Sadiya Ibrahim emerged as the woman leader.
Similarly, other executive officers elected include Sani Nasiru as VP1 and Hajiya. Zainab Ado Gwaram VP2, Comrade Usman Nasidi Of New Nigeria Newspapers (NNN) and Deputy Editor GTK-Online return elected as the PRO1 unopposed, Mustapha Dan Saudia PRO2, Mubarak Musa as PRO3, Abubakar Muhammed Target as Ass. Sec Gen, Hauwa Aminu as Ass. Woman Leader.
Moreso, Nasiru Hassan as Financial Secretary. Zainab Abubakar as Treasurer, Abubakar Mika’il as Organizing Sec., Aliyu Muhammad as Chief Whip, Tijjani Haruna Shehu as Auditor Gen., Ibrahim A Ibrahim as Welfare Officer, Aisha Muhd Ladan as Ass Treasurer, Fatima Isah as Welfare, Usman Dan Asabe as Ass Chief Whip, Yusuf Musa as Ass. Org Sec and Auwal Ahmad Orbit as Ass. Fin Sec.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected RAAF President, Malam Hassan Abubakar, expresses gratitude to God and entire members of the Forum for having faith and trust in him by giving him their mandate to lead the Forum that remains the greatest association of the community and the people of Rigasa.
He assures his readiness to lead by example for the benefit of the people of Rigasa and the development of the community, Igabi LG, Kaduna State and the Country, saying they will never regret voting him to serve as the newly elected President of the association.
Malam Hassan on behalf of the newly elected officials, called on the people especially his opponent Malam Aminu Halilu Umar to support his team by ensuring they work together hand in hand and caution them where they went wrong or guide them on the way forward towards achieving their desired goal of having a befitting Rigasa community that everyone will be proud of.
Similarly, He extends his warm regards to the office of the District Head of Rigasa for their timely Intervention over the affairs of the association to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election, and by serving as a true father in the community which results in the consensus that took place in various offices.
The newly elected President, thanked the Electoral Committee (ELCOM), Caretaker Committee (CTC), Security Operatives, members of the team and the RAAF for their selfless services towards ensuring the peaceful conduct of the election.