The Plateau House of Assembly has reduced the tenure of elected local government officials from three years to two years. This change is in accordance with the amended Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Law 2024.
Matthew Kwarpo, the House Committee Chairman on Information, explained on Wednesday in Jos that the amendment aims to better align with the recent financial autonomy granted to local governments. The decision follows a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph Gokum (APC/Kanke Constituency) which proposed changes to the 2017 Local Government Councils Law.
Kwarpo stated that the reduction in tenure is intended to allow for more flexible oversight and adjustment during the initial phase of implementing the new financial autonomy. The two-year term will help legislators address any emerging issues more efficiently compared to the previous three-year term.
He emphasized that the amendment is designed for the benefit of Plateau State and not for any parochial interests.