By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The House of Representatives has rejected a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to introduce a six-year single tenure for the President, state governors, and local government chairpersons.
The bill, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) and 33 other lawmakers, also sought to restructure the nation’s governance system by creating six geopolitical zones and implementing rotational presidency and governorship between regions and zones. It further proposed that all elections be held on the same day across the country.
The legislators, however, declined to allow Ugochinyere to lead the debate on the proposed legislation, which aimed to amend sections 76, 116, 132, 136, and other provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Key Proposals of the Bill
1. Rotational Presidency
The bill sought to amend Section 132 by mandating that the presidency rotate between the North and South every six years. It further stipulated that within each region, the position must alternate among the three geopolitical zones.
2. Extension of Tenure
It proposed an amendment to Section 180 to replace the current four-year term for governors and the President with a single six-year tenure.
3. Unified Election Date
The bill aimed to amend Sections 76 and 116 to ensure all elections—for the presidency, governorships, National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly, and local government councils—are held simultaneously on a single day, as determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in consultation with the National Assembly.
4. Mid-Term Performance Report
A new section (188) was proposed, requiring governors to present a mid-term performance report to their state Houses of Assembly at the end of the third year of their six-year tenure. If dissatisfied, the Assembly could pass a vote of no confidence and initiate impeachment proceedings.
5. Vice Presidential Succession
The bill included provisions for succession if a President-elect dies or is unable to take office. The First Vice President-elect would assume the presidency and appoint a new vice president, subject to approval by a simple majority of the National Assembly.
Reactions and Rejection
Lawmakers opposed the bill, citing concerns over its sweeping changes and potential to disrupt the country’s political system. Critics argued that the proposed rotational presidency and six-year single term could polarize the nation further and lead to governance inefficiencies.
The rejection highlights the reluctance of the legislature to entertain fundamental shifts in Nigeria’s political structure, especially in the absence of broad consensus or substantial public demand.
Despite its dismissal, the bill reignited debates on governance reforms, including rotational leadership, election scheduling, and tenure elongation, as Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges of equity and inclusivity in its democratic processes.