Nigeria, March 14 -- The Plateau State High Court in Jos has struck down the two-year tenure of elected local government chairpersons in the state, ruling that it violates the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Delivering judgment on Friday, the Chief Judge of Plateau State, David Mann, held that the two-year tenure provided under state laws and guidelines of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission is inconsistent with Section 7(1) of the Nigeria Constitution, which guarantees a democratically elected local government system.

The court consequently declared that elected council chairpersons in the state are entitled to a four-year tenure.

Mr Mann said the shorter tenure undermines constitutional provisions governing grassroots ...