By Correspondent in Minna.
The suspension of the Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Council (LGC) in Niger State, Alhaji Aminu Yakubu Ladan, has sparked controversy, drawing sharp reactions from stakeholders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This is barely 24 hours after the council’s legislative arm took the action.
Eight out of ten councillors of the council had suspended Ladan for three months, reportedly without giving him the opportunity to respond to any allegations against him.
Our correspondent reports that the council boss had earlier approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking judicial interpretation of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution (as amended) regarding the tenure of elected local government chairmen.
His legal move came after the Niger State Government fixed local government elections for November, a development political analysts said that could truncate the current tenure of elected chairmen across the state.
Ladan, in his suit, sought clarity on whether the Constitution and Electoral Act guarantee a four-year term for local government chairmen, and asked the court to restrain relevant authorities from conducting elections that could preempt the end of that term.
Political stakeholders in the state said the decision to go to court appears to have prompted the councillors’ action, with observers linking his suspension to his legal challenge.
The move has since drawn condemnation from a section of the political establishment.
An APC chieftain and member of the Board of Trustees of the International Human Rights Commission,Relief Fund (IHRC-RF), Alhaji Mohammed Awaisu Wana, described the suspension as a breach of constitutional principles and due process.
He warned that denying the chairman the right to a fair hearing undermines the democratic values the party and nation claim to uphold.
Wana, who argued that every citizen, including elected officials, has the fundamental right to seek judicial interpretation on matters that affect their office or person, questioned the legal and moral basis of suspending a sitting chairman for simply exercising that right.
He further expressed concern that the councillors may have acted under external influence, suggesting that some powerful political interests were bent on removing Ladan from office at all costs.
“The councillors failed to follow their own rules and legislative procedures.This raises serious questions about the legality and motives behind their decision, especially when no proven misconduct has been established,’Wana said.
He called on Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to step in and ensure that the rule of law prevails, warning that inaction could deepen existing cracks within the APC in the state and set a dangerous precedent.
“The governor swore to protect the Constitution. Allowing this kind of legislative overreach to stand will only erode public confidence in the system and harm the democratic process,” he noted.
Wana also urged party elders, stakeholders, and relevant organs within the APC to intervene and mediate the crisis through dialogue rather than confrontation.
Our correspondent recalls that the Legislative Council of Chanchaga Local Government Area in Niger State suspended its Executive Chairman, Hon. Aminu Yakubu Ladan, over allegations of gross misconduct, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office, and refusal to comply with legislative oversight.
In a memo dated July 28, 2025, titled “Notice of Suspension against Hon. Aminu Yakubu Ladan, the Executive Chairman, Chanchaga Local Government Area,” eight out of ten councillors cited various sections of the Niger State Local Government Law,Cap. 77, Sections 24, 26, 31, 38, and 39—as the legal basis for the suspension.
The councillors leveled nine allegations against Ladan, including:
Gross misappropriation of council funds, in violation of Section 38(1)(a), which mandates that public funds must be spent strictly for approved purposes and with due process.
Illegal allocation of market spaces, contrary to Section 24(1)(a), which requires transparency in land-related matters.
Obstruction of legislative oversight, by refusing to allow directors to appear before the legislative council, breaching Section 26 of the law.
Failure to present periodic reports on the Minna Development Funds, violating principles of transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Incompetence and disregard for the rule of law, which the councillors claim undermines good governance and effective service delivery.
Failure to provide the council’s statement of accounts to the legislative body as required by law.
Repeated refusal to honour invitations from the legislative council, viewed as a serious breach of legislative authority.
The suspension order also mandated the chairman to submit his written defense within five working days to the Clerk of the Council.
The development came just days after Ladan filed a lawsuit against the Niger State Government and the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), seeking to stop the planned local government elections scheduled for November.
He claimed the move by the state authorities is an unconstitutional attempt to cut short the four-year tenure of elected council chairmen.
Following the legal action, Ladan was said to have shared a photo of himself with his legal team, captioned:
“As Executive Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government, we have taken legal action against INEC and NSIEC to halt the planned November election. Our tenure is constitutionally four years, not three years, following the Supreme Court verdict. I pray that justice prevails,”he said.
Political observers say the suspension may not be unconnected with Ladan’s court action, which is seen as a direct challenge to Governor Umar Bago’s plans for the state’s political direction leading up to the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader representing Minna South Ward and the councillor for Nasarawa ‘B’ Ward did not sign the suspension notice.
This development is occurring against the backdrop of internal tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State.
The party’s last local government primaries were marred by controversy, particularly over candidate selections allegedly influenced by the governor, causing friction between party leaders and grassroots supporters.
Some political observers believe that,the suspension of Ladan has once again raised critical questions about the independence of local government institutions, the sanctity of elected tenures, and the role of political actors in preserving or undermining constitutional order.
As the 2027 general elections draw closer, the situation in Chanchaga LGA may serve as a test case for internal party discipline, constitutional adherence, and the strength of Nigeria’s grassroots democracy.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
