Tolon (NR), April 28, GNA - Assembly Members of the Tolon/Kumbungu District on Tuesday elected Mr. Abukari Sumani as the Presiding Member (PM) and approved Mr. Iddi-Manza Mahama, the president's nominee as the District Chief Executive. In an election conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Mahama polled 58 votes out of the 61 votes, representing 94.08 per cent, to get the DCE nod, while two contenders had to step down to pave the way for Mr. Sumani to become the PM after the first round of voting could not produce a clear winner. Mr. Mahama, the new DCE appealed to members of the Assembly and other people in the District to bring their expertise to bear to develop the district.

He said he had worked in the district for the past 26 years and was therefore acquainted with the problems confronting the assembly, and would leave no stone unturned to solve those problems. He said many communities in the district still needed good roads, drinking water, electricity and healthcare facilities, and called on members of the assembly to rally behind him to ensure that such challenges were achieved. Mr. Mahama appealed to members embrace togetherness, peace and unity to ensure that the Assembly achieved the needed development agenda. He promised to run an open-door administration, so that more people would be able reach him for discussions on the district's development and advised members of government agencies to improve their attitude towards work to increase productivity. Mr. Stephen Sumani Nayina, Northern Regional Minister commended the assembly members for conducting the elections maturely.