‎From Yakubu Wuyep, Jos

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‎The Plateau State chapter of the opposition has rejected the continued stay in office of the 17 local government areas (LGAs) chairmen after the expiration of their tenure.

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‎Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in the state, Comrade Tokjin Mandin, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Jos, describing the state government’s move as an attempt to twist the narrative.

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‎He said the tenure of the chairmen expired on September 9, 2026, and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC, has yet to make any pronouncement on the matter.

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‎According to him, all political parties in the state had fielded candidates for both councillorship and chairmanship positions and are awaiting PLASIEC’s announcement, but the commission has failed to provide any information regarding a dateline for elections.

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‎Mandin questioned why the Plateau State Government would want to extend the tenure of the chairmen and councillors after the court judgment obtained by the ALGON Chairman in October.

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‎He noted that the Plateau State House of Assembly has not amended the law to accommodate incoming elected chairmen for a three-year tenure in line with the judgment of the Plateau State High Court.

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‎”As opposition parties, we cannot accept the decision where the state government would extend their tenure without due process from the lawmakers,” he said.

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‎”We are under democracy and that principle must be followed. If not, Governor Caleb Mutfwang should put in place a Caretaker Committee,” he added.

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‎Mandin called on the people of Plateau State to reject anarchy, stressing that in a democracy, the rights of citizens must be accorded at all levels.

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‎”The opposition will challenge them in court for refusing to do the needful by imposing chairmen and councillors on the people of Plateau State,” he stated.

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