The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking to amend the Nigerian Constitution to provide for a six-year single term for the offices of President, state governors, and local government chairpersons.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, also proposed a rotational presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and a single-day election for all political offices. Despite these proposals, the majority of lawmakers voted against the bill during its second reading.
History of Similar Proposals
This is not the first time such a bill has faced rejection.
- 2019: A similar bill sponsored by John Dyegh from Benue State proposed a six-year term for the President, governors, and members of the National Assembly. It also failed to pass the second reading. Dyegh argued that a longer single term would reduce the cost and violence associated with re-election campaigns.
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- Prominent Supporters:
- Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar once advocated for a six-year single term as part of broader electoral reforms, including electronic voting and stricter candidate verification processes.
- Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State also expressed support for the idea in June, highlighting the distractions caused by re-election campaigns.
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Debate and Arguments
Proponents of the bill argue that a single term would:
- Curb irregularities and violence during re-election campaigns.
- Reduce election costs, which are often triple that of initial campaigns.
- Allow officeholders to focus on governance without the pressure of seeking re-election.
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However, critics contend that a six-year term might not guarantee improved governance and could limit citizens’ ability to hold leaders accountable within a shorter period.
