The Taraba State House of Assembly has put to rest the constitutional crisis surrounding the tenure of local council chairmen by unanimously passing an amendment bill. The emergency session, held behind closed doors, was prompted by an ongoing industrial action by parliamentary staff.
The major entrance to the Assembly premises was sealed due to the strike, compelling lawmakers to use alternative entrances to access the chambers. The bill’s passage coincides with preparations for the local council election scheduled for tomorrow.
Nelson Len, Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Information, explained that the urgency was driven by the need to address legislative demands. Len, representing Nguroje constituency, attributed the expedited action to the ongoing parliamentary staff strike, stating that using alternative entrances was necessary to proceed with legislative matters.
Len emphasized the significance of timely action, especially with the upcoming local council election, and mentioned that allowing the bill to remain pending could jeopardize the governor’s intentions for the election. The bill in question reportedly revised the tenure from three years to two years.