Chanchaga LG Chairman Suspended Days After Suing Niger State Government Over Tenure Dispute

The Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area, Aminu Yakubu Ladan, has been suspended by the legislative council, just days after filing a lawsuit against the Niger State Government and the State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) over an alleged attempt to cut short his tenure.

Ladan had recently approached the court to halt the planned local government elections scheduled for November 2025, arguing that elected LG officials are constitutionally entitled to a four-year term, not three, as per a Supreme Court ruling.

He made the announcement via social media, posting a photo alongside his legal team with the caption:

“Our tenure is constitutionally four years, not three years… I pray that justice prevails.”

However, in a suspension notice dated July 28, 2025, eight out of ten councillors signed a resolution invoking provisions of the Niger State Local Government Law to temporarily remove Ladan from office, citing nine serious allegations ranging from financial misconduct to abuse of office.

The letter stated that Ladan’s actions violated several sections of the local government law, including Sections 24, 26, 31, 38, and 39, and undermined transparency, accountability, and legislative oversight.

The council directed Ladan to submit a written defence within five working days, warning that failure to respond would be considered a forfeiture of his right to defend against the allegations.

Notably, the Majority Leader (Minna South) and the councillor representing Nasarawa B Ward did not sign the suspension notice.

Political observers have linked Ladan’s suspension to internal APC power struggles, particularly his failure to secure the party’s consensus ticket ahead of the November elections.