Plateau State Government said it is taking steps, including legal actions, to set aside the court judgment that extended the tenure of local governments to four years.
The House of Assembly had set the tenure of local governments to two years with the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) scheduled to hold local government elections on September 9.
Chief Judge of the state, Justice David Mann, had, in a ruling delivered on Friday last week, said his judgment was predicated on Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution relating to the tenure of local governments in Nigeria.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Joyce Ramnap, the government said it was exploring all options, including resorting to the appellate court to seek proper interpretation of that section.
“The Plateau State government has taken note of the recent judgment delivered by the High Court of Plateau State, on Friday, March 13, concerning the tenure of local government chairmen in the state.
“The judgment as read in open Court, with the primary concerns of interpreting Section 7(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, as it relates to the tenure of local government officials. The government respects the role of the judiciary in interpreting the law and acknowledges the importance of judicial decisions within the state and Nigeria at large
“The government is currently studying the judgment carefully with the guidance of its legal team in order to fully understand its implications and determine the most appropriate legal and administrative steps going forward, and will consider all lawful options available, including seeking further appellate judicial clarification where necessary.
“At the same time, it is important to note that the judgment does not in any way disrupt the day-to-day administration of local government councils or the delivery of essential services to the people of Plateau State. The government wishes to assure citizens across all local government areas that the administration remains fully committed to adherence to rule of law, an all inclusive process of governance and the orderly functioning of democratic institutions in Plateau State.
“The government, therefore, urges citizens, community leaders, political stakeholders and local government officials to remain calm, law-abiding and focused on the collective task of building a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State.
“The government under the leadership of Caleb Mutfwang reiterates its unwavering commitment to not only strengthen democratic institutions, promote stability in local government administration and ensure that governance at all levels continues to serve the best interests of the people of Plateau State, but will equally continue to build legacies for the best interest of the people of Plateau State.”
