The Lambussie District Assembly has been plunged deeper into administrative uncertainty after Assembly Members failed for the second time to elect a Presiding Member (PM), raising fears of stalled governance and delayed development in the district.
After five rounds of voting and repeated deadlocks, no candidate secured the constitutionally required two-thirds majority, leaving the Assembly without a leader to chair deliberations and guide its activities for the next two years.
The initial contenders — incumbent Presiding Member Abubakari Abdul Moomin and Zimi Kanintii Paul — both failed to secure enough votes after three rounds, triggering fresh nominations under the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
Electoral Commission official Maxwell Fudzi Vanscofly explained that the law requires original candidates to step aside after three unsuccessful rounds unless no new contenders emerge.
Fresh nominations subsequently brought in Jane France Lobnibe and Aaliebe Matthew.
However, the deadlock persisted.
In the first round of the fresh election, Dr Lobnibe secured 18 votes against Mr Matthew’s 16. In the second round, the results reversed, with Mr Matthew polling 18 votes and Dr Lobnibe receiving 16 — still short of the required threshold.
The repeated stalemate has triggered frustration among local authorities and residents, who fear the prolonged absence of a Presiding Member could weaken decision-making and delay critical development projects.
Naawulle Ireneous Basingbie described the outcome as disappointing, warning that the district’s progress was being undermined by political divisions and personal interests.
He expressed concern that appeals from both himself and Titus Kofi Beyuo failed to persuade Assembly Members to unite behind a candidate.
Mr Basingbie urged members to put aside political calculations and focus on the broader interests of the district and the communities they represent.
Dr Lobnibe also criticised the situation, describing the repeated elections as a waste of valuable time and resources in a district already struggling with underdevelopment challenges.
Residents who observed the election process similarly accused some Assembly Members of prioritising political interests over local development and governance stability.
Under Act 936, the Assembly is expected to reconvene within ten days for another attempt to elect a Presiding Member.
Failure to do so could force the Assembly to operate without a PM for the next two years — a scenario many fear would severely affect governance and development coordination in the district.
