House of Reps Rejects Bill Seeking Six-year Single Term for President, Governors

The House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a bill seeking a six-year single term for Nigeria’s president and Governors.

The bill was rejected at the second reading during Thursday’s plenary session. Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere from Imo state and 33 other lawmakers sponsored it. It also seeks rotation of the position of President among the six geopolitical zones to “ensure equal representation and reduce the desperation and tempo of agitation for the creation of states”.

The 1999 constitution stipulates that a candidate can be elected for a four-year term and can be re-elected for another term, after which he or she can no longer contest for office. However, the lawmakers sought to amend Section 3 of the constitution to provide for the recognition of the division of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones.

In addition, they also recommended creating the office of two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of the country.

Another proposal is to hold the presidential, governorship, national assembly, state houses of assembly, and local government elections on the same day.

But the House swiftly and unanimously rejected the bill when Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives called for a voice vote following Hon. Ugochinyere’s motion for the bill to be read a second time.

The “nays” were louder than the “ayes” with the speaker ruling in favour of the majority.

Nigerians have clamoured for a tinkering with the presidential system of government which has remained problematic since its adoption in 1979. Apart from its expensive nature, it has widened the gap between the President and the people he leads.

Some have clamoured for a return to the parliamentary system of government which will make the Prime Minister an elected member of the Parliament and more responsible for questions and issues regularly.

Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is one of the proponents of a six-year single term for president.

In September, Alhaji Abubakar sent a proposal to the national assembly, requesting that the presidency be rotated among the six geo-political zones of the country.

The reasons for the rejection of the Bill were unclear but may not be unconnected with the politics of 2027.