Anambra Councillors Challenge Two-Year Tenure Limit in Court

Fifty-six serving councillors in Anambra State filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, challenging the constitutionality of a two-year tenure limit imposed on elected local government officials. The suit, numbered 261/2026, is pending in the State High Court in Awka.

The plaintiffs have joined the Attorney General, the Anambra State House of Assembly, and the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission as defendants. They argue that Section 110 of the Anambra State Electoral Amendment No. 3 Law 2024 violates Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees democratic elections for local government systems.

The councillors contend that the law arbitrarily truncates their tenure and seek a court declaration affirming their right to a four-year tenure. They also request an order to strike down the controversial section of the electoral law and to prevent any actions that would interfere with their current terms until the full four years are completed.

This legal action comes ahead of local government elections scheduled for August 29, 2024.