By Kolawole Ojebisi
Former Vice President and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his disappointment over the rejection of the bill proposing a six-year single term for the presidents and governors.
The former Vice-President berated the green chamber for scuttling what he considered as a genuine effort to place Nigeria on the path of progress without being hindered by self-interest of political office seekers, particularly those of the executive arm of government.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, and 33 others, was rejected on Thursday in a voice vote by the lawmakers at plenary.
The proposed legislation sought to alter sections 76, 116, 132, and 136, in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The general principles of the bill noted that “These amendments are to ensure inclusive governance and to curb wastage occasioned by four-year periodic elections.
“The bill, among others, seeks an amendment to Section 132 of the Principal Act by inserting a new subsection (2), deleting the extant subsection (4) and renumbering the entire section accordingly to provide that an election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be rotated between the North and the South regions of the country every six years among other suggestions.
But on Thursday, in response to the House of Representatives’ rejection of the proposal, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in an interview said that the lawmakers failed to recognise that Nigeria is at a crossroads.
He stated, “It is sad. It is clear that they don’t understand that Nigeria is currently at a crossroads.
“I would have expected that this proposed amendment would have passed to strengthen the polity and ensure that whoever is elected for a six-year single term would be able to focus on it, without being encumbered by the rush to seek a second term. This would allow the person to focus on governance and not be distracted by politics and all the associated activities.
“So, it is sad that it was rejected, and we need to ensure that the laws we make promote the well-being of Nigerians and strengthen democracy in both word and deed. That is what this law was meant to do. Unfortunately, the House did not see this. It is unfortunate, and we hope that it is revisited, so they can realise that they have made a mistake.”
Recall that Atiku had in October last year sent a letter to the National Assembly, requesting a constitutional amendment to establish a six-year single term for the President and state governors.
In his memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also suggested that the Presidency be rotated between the North and South.
Atiku is one of the ardent proponents of a six-year single term for president. Former Governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, is another eminent politician showing a fervency that matches Atiku’s in his call for the review of the Constitution to accommodate a six-year single term for the president and governors.
