Hope Rises for Four-Year LG Tenure in Kogi as Legal Battle Begins
By Atabor Julius, Lokoja
Hope is rising for a four-year tenure for Local Government Council officials in Kogi State as a legal battle challenging the existing tenure provisions enters a critical stage.
The suit, filed by a councillor representing Okehi Local Government Council, seeks to invalidate provisions of Kogi State law prescribing shorter tenures for elected local government officials, arguing that they conflict with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and relevant electoral legislation.
The matter came up on Monday before the Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton Karfe, presided over by Justice Aminu Eri.
The court admitted preliminary applications, motions and affidavits filed by both the claimant and the defendants before adjourning the matter to Wednesday, October 7, 2026, for ruling.
The claimant was represented by a legal team led by J.A. Akubo, SAN, alongside T.U. Odoma, S.S. Udaa and A.O. Apeh. The state government’s legal team included Dr. Zakari, O.O. Adegboyega and V.A. Shaibu.
Speaking to Treasure Times after the proceedings, Akubo, SAN, said the suit was instituted against the Kogi State Government, the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission and the Kogi State House of Assembly.
He said the claimant was challenging Section 50 of the Kogi State Local Government Law 2023 as well as Sections 25 and 26 of the Kogi State Local Government Law, as amended in 2025, which, according to him, provide for two-year and three-year tenures.
Akubo argued that the provisions were inconsistent with the Constitution and relevant electoral laws, insisting that local government administration should enjoy a uniform constitutional framework.
He also cited provisions of the Electoral Act and pointed to a similar case in Plateau State, where, he said, the court ruled in favour of extending the tenure of local government officials to four years.
“What our client is seeking is not new. It has been tested and done in Plateau State,” the senior lawyer said.
Akubo further alleged that the respondents filed their counter-affidavits and other processes outside the time allowed by the court.
According to him, although the court accepted the respondents’ processes, the matter was adjourned for ruling and subsequent determination.
He expressed confidence that the court would deliver justice in the interest of the people of Kogi State.
The legal battle has assumed added significance as the Kogi State local government election is scheduled for October 16, 2026.
Akubo said he was hopeful that the suit would be determined on an accelerated basis before the election, stressing that the claimant was seeking what he described as constitutional compliance in the administration of local governments in the state.
