By Sanee Yarima, Jalingo
Residents of the Wuro Baka Community in the Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State were full of excitement as their source of water returned to life.
The community, which is approximately 5km away from the state capital, has been suffering from a shortage of water because its two boreholes have been spoiled for a long time.
Interestingly, a former State Permanent Secretary, who was also a candidate for the chairmanship of the LGA under the umbrella of the PDP, long before venturing into politics, Hon. Badawaire had already earned a reputation for his selfless community service and philanthropic gestures across Ardo-Kola LGA.
He personally funded and supervised numerous local development projects aimed at improving the lives of rural dwellers.
Among his notable contributions is the rehabilitation of several boreholes that had been abandoned for years in communities such as Wuro Baka and other rural settlements.
His intervention restored access to clean and safe drinking water for hundreds of households who had struggled with water scarcity for a long time, as confirmed by the people of the communities in an interview with newsmen.
He also supported the rehabilitation and upgrading of several primary health centres across the local government, ensuring that residents, especially women and children could access basic healthcare services closer to their homes. Many of these facilities, which were previously in poor condition, now function better. Thanks to his personal donations.
Additionally, Hon. Badawaire has facilitated the construction of culverts and small bridges that link remote farming communities, easing transportation challenges for local traders and improving access to markets.
He is also well known for extending assistance to widows, orphans, and underprivileged families through cash support and empowerment materials.
The people of the communities expressed their profound gratitude to Hon. Umar Bello Badawaire and promised to reciprocate the gesture by voting him to become their local government council chairman.
Meanwhile, the election was held on Saturday, the 8th of November 2025 and the people of Ardo-Kola fulfilled their promises of voting Hon. Umar Bello Badawaire as the Chairman of the LGC.
Recall that Hon. Umar Bello Badawaire was declared the winner of the election under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC).
The voting exercise was peaceful and highly participatory across all polling units in the area, where he polled a total of 47,348 votes.
Several political stakeholders also participated in the exercise, including Alhaji Hamman Adama Tukur, who cast his vote at the Kpanti Yali polling unit and Hon. Abdullahi Mohammed Lauya, member representing Lau, Ardo-Kola, and Karim Lamido Federal Constituency, who cast his ballot at Sabon Layi in Sunkani.
Commenting on the exercise, Hon. Lauya commended TSIEC for a credible process and praised Governor Agbu Kefas for his leadership and developmental focus in the state.
However, in an acceptance speech, the chairman-elect, Hon. Badawaire, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the victory and thanked Governor Agbu Kefas for his trust and encouragement.
He also appreciated Alhaji Hamman Adama Tukur, PDP stakeholders, and the people of Ardo-Kola for their overwhelming support.
Badawaire pledged to run an administration that prioritises security, healthcare, education, and youth empowerment, emphasising that the welfare of residents would remain his top concern.
The chairman-elect, Badawaire reaffirmed his commitment to expanding his humanitarian efforts across all wards in Ardo Kola.
He directed local engineers to identify and repair other broken-down boreholes and pledged to continue supporting health facilities before officially assuming office.
According to him, development should not wait for political office, adding that, “Serving humanity is a duty, not a position.”
