Advocates Push for Reintroduction of Six-Year Single Tenure for President and Governors

Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), the primary sponsor of the constitutional amendment bill that would give the president and governors a six-year term, has stated that they will reintroduce the bill, which was rejected by the House during Thursday’s plenary.

In addition to the six-year term, the plan called for a constitutional reform that would allow all elections to be held on the same day and rotate the presidency between the North and South, as well as between the nation’s geopolitical zones.

Members, however, rejected the bill when it was brought up for second reading on Thursday, denying the sponsors the chance to take the lead in the discussion on the broad principles.

However, the bill’s sponsors stated that they would not be discouraged by the House’s ruling and that there is still hope because the bill would be further consulted and represented at a later date.

“The decision on the House floor did not put an end to agitation and hope as they will realise this objective,” Ugochinyere said in a statement in Abuja.

He said, “The struggle to reform our constitutional democracy to be all inclusive and provide an avenue for justice, equity and fairness has not been lost.

“The decision on the floor of the House not to allow the bill for six- year- single tenure for presidency/governorship and for power to rotate between north and south, all elections to hold in one day, not to scale 2nd reading does not put an end to agitation and hope that we will realize this objective.

“This is a temporary setback which does not affect the campaign for an all-inclusive democratic process. We are going to review these decisions and find possible ways of reintroducing it after following due legislative procedures.

“All I can tell Nigerians is that we will continue the advocacy and convince our colleagues to see reason with us. If elections are held in one day, it will reduce cost, reduce rigging.

“If power rotates, it will help de-escalate political tensions, and a six- year- single term will go a long way in helping elective leaders focus on delivering their democratic mandate. All hope is not lost, we will continue the advocacy and we hope that when reintroduced our colleagues will support it.”