One Year Tenure For Local Council Is Unrealistic, NASIEC Chairman Calls For Amendment Of The Law

Rabiu Omaku

The chairman of the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Abdullahi Modibbo has stated that the one year tenure of elected Local Government officials ranging from Chairmen and Councilors is unrealistic.

The chairman said amendment of selected sections would go a long in addressing the one year term by elected Local Government officials.

Modibbo stressed on the need for lawmakers to make the tenure of chairmen and Councilors two years as he said the two years would enable them to achieve.

“Some of the aspect the Assembly would amend is to grant the power to the commission to announce election results by the chairman not like before that outcome of results were announced at collection centres”.

“The other aspect is on the one year tenure of elected Local Government officials, looking at the cost implication of conducting election annually”.

Dr. Abdullahi gave the disclosure during a press briefing held at the commission, he says the commission is set to conduct free, fair and credible council election, he however asserted that the state electoral umpire would act according to the enabling electoral laws.

“The commission would very soon release time table for the election, adding that the law guiding local election in Nasarawa State are obsolete and amendment in some aspect of the law are necessary “.

Dr. Modibbo said the electoral umpire needed a whopping N700M to N800M to conduct election in the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.

When asked on the insecurity in the state, the state chairman of NASIEC revealed that this time is appropriate for council election,he commended the state governor for his up and doing to ensure that the commission conduct free, fair and credible council election.