A High Court in Plateau State has ruled that local government chairmen in the state are entitled to a four-year tenure. The decision nullified the existing two-year tenure previously stated in the state’s laws.

The case was filed by the 17 council chairmen against the state government and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission. They argued that the two-year tenure violated provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Delivering the judgement, Chief Judge Justice David Gwong Mannin stated that the two-year tenure contradicts Section 7(1) of the constitution. According to him, the shorter term weakens the democratic structure expected at the local government level.

The court concluded that a four-year tenure aligns better with constitutional principles guiding democratic governance at the grassroots. The ruling is expected to influence local government administration across the state.