Current Tenure and Legal Framework:
The current local government leadership in Nasarawa State is set to expire by October 2024.
Traditionally, local government executives in Nasarawa State serve a three-year term.
NASEIC's Readiness for Elections:
The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASEIC) had earlier announced its readiness to conduct elections for local government positions.
This indicates that the commission was prepared to adhere to the established timeline for elections.
Legal Challenges:
A court case was filed challenging NASEIC's preparations for the elections. Although details were initially unclear, this legal challenge was significant enough to delay the election preparations.
Recently, the Federal High Court in Lafia dismissed the case, which theoretically clears the path for elections to proceed.
Request for Tenure Extension:
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has appealed to the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for an extension of one more year in office, thus extending the tenure from three years to four years.
This request complicates the situation, as it introduces a potential change to the established tenure length, which requires legislative approval.
Statements from NASEIC and Government Officials:
- Usman Wandai, the chairman of NASEIC, has remained optimistic about holding the local government elections despite the challenges.
The final decision on whether the elections will hold as planned or be postponed depends on the outcome of ALGON's appeal to the state legislature.
Conclusion
The holding of local government elections in Nasarawa State hinges on several factors:
Legislative Decision:
The state assembly's response to ALGON's appeal for a tenure extension will be crucial.
Election Preparations:
Assuming no further legal impediments arise, NASEIC’s preparations and scheduling for the elections will play a significant role.
Government Stance:
The overall stance of the state government and any additional directives or decisions will also influence the outcome.
As it stands, there is no definitive answer yet. The elections could either proceed as planned if the legislative body does not approve the extension, or they could be delayed if ALGON's request is granted.
