Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has refused to accent to the local government amendment law 2013, which provides for a one-year term of office for elected executives of the councils.
Al-Makura’s decision is contained in letter read on the floor of the state House of Assembly in Lafia on Monday by the Majority Leader, Godiya Akwashiki (PDP-Nasarawa Eggon East).
According to the governor, it will be “unrealistic and wasteful”, considering the cost implication of political party activities and conduct of election for elected officers to serve for only one year.
He said due to the paucity of funds in the state, it could not spend almost N1 billion to conduct elections into local government councils.
He said that even the one year would not be enough for aggrieved parties in an election to seek legal redress at tribunals.
Al-Makura also said some concerned individuals in the state had also filed a suit before the state High Court to determine the legality of the action of the assembly.
The Speaker of the house, Alhaji Musa Ahmed (PDP-Nasarawa Central) ruled that the letter should be set aside for deliberation on another legislative day.
The assembly in October, passed a bill amending the 2009 local government law which reduced the tenure of elected local government officials from two to one year.
