By Abiola Olawale
In a significant decision, the House of Representatives has turned down a proposed bill that aimed to establish a six-year single term for Nigeria’s presidency.
The decision was made after the bill emerged on the floor for its second reading.
At Thursday’s plenary, the bill faced opposition and was ultimately rejected during the plenary session held on Thursday.
The house swiftly and unanimously rejected the bill when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas called for a voice vote.
The voices against the proposal of the bill rose above the supporters. In response to the overwhelming clamour of “nays” overpowering the “ayes,” the speaker hit the gavel down, signalling the decision in favour of the majority.
The New Diplomat reports that the proposed legislation, championed by Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere along with the support of 33 other lawmakers, aims to introduce significant reforms in the political landscape.
One of the key features of the bill is the suggestion to extend the term of the president and 36 governors from the current four years to six years. Additionally, it advocates for a system of rotating executive powers across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Under the existing framework established by the 1999 constitution, governorship candidates are permitted to serve a single four-year term with the possibility of re-election for one additional term. However, after serving two consecutive terms, they become ineligible to run for office again. The proposed changes seek to address both governance stability and the growing calls for equitable representation across Nigeria’s varied regions.
The lawmakers also sought to amend section 3 of the constitution to provide for the recognition of the division of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones.
They also recommended creating the office of two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of the country.
The lawmakers suggested holding the presidential, governorship, national assembly, state houses of assembly, and local government elections on the same day.
