Plateau assembly reduces LG officials’ tenure

The Plateau House of Assembly has reduced the tenure of elected local government officials from three to two years

The House Committee Chairman on Information, Mr Matthew Kwarpo, told newsmen on Wednesday in Jos that the reduction was in line with the amended Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Law 2024.

Kwarpo stated that it was also because of the financial autonomy that was recently granted to local governments in the country.

He added that the lawmakers took the decision after they considered a bill sponsored by Assemblyman, Joseph Gokum (APC/Kanke Constituency) on the amendment of the 2017 Local Government Councils Law.

“Specifically, the clause that was amended was the one that has to do with the tenure of local government elected officials.

“In the 2017 law, the chairmen, deputy chairmen, and councillors were expected to spend three years in office. But it was amended that the elected officials will spend two years in office.

“Whenever there is a pilot scheme, you take a little time to learn what is new.

“As legislators, we think that it is wise to start with two years of tenure to see how the financial autonomy granted to local governments in the country will fare.

“When you begin to give four years to someone who is going into a pilot scheme when there are challenges, you find it difficult to tackle them,” he explained.

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