21st November, 2024
A bill seeking amendment of the Constitution to create a single term of six years for the Executive arm of government in Nigeria, comprising office of president and state governors has been rejected by the House of Representatives.
The bill sponsored by Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere sought to recognize the division of Nigeria into the six geopolitical zones.
It provides for the rotation of the office of president, state governor and chairmen of local government councils among the regions and zones.
The bill also sought to make it possible for all elections in the country to be held on a single day.
When the bill which was scheduled for a second reading was put to vote, the majority of the lawmakers voted against it.
This is not the first time the House will reject a bill seeking a six-year single term for president and governors.
In 2019, the bill which was then sponsored by John Dyegh from Benue State, also failed to progress to the second reading.
Dyegh’s bill had also considered a six-year term for Members of the National Assembly and States Houses of Assembly.
He argued that the bill was necessary to for members of the National Assembly to gain more experience in six years years instead of four.
According to him, re-election for the President and governors costs three times more than the first election and is characterised by violence. He believes a single term of five years will curb the irregularities associated with re-election.
