The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking to amend Nigeria’s constitution to provide for a single six-year term for the President, state governors, and local government chairpersons, as well as rotational presidency among the country’s geopolitical zones.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) and 33 other lawmakers, was debated on the floor of the House on November 21, 2024. It failed to scale through second reading following strong opposition during a voice vote.
Key provisions of the bill included:
- A single, non-renewable six-year tenure for key executive offices.
- Rotational presidency between Nigeria’s North and South, with further zoning among the six geopolitical zones.
- Introduction of two vice-presidential slots—one for succession, the other to manage economic affairs.
- A unified election day for all levels of government.
- A mid-term performance review mechanism for governors, empowering state assemblies to initiate impeachment proceedings based on those reviews.
However, the proposal was met with resistance from several lawmakers who argued that enforcing a rotational presidency through the constitution could fuel regional division, undermine democratic rights, and trigger political instability.
Critics warned that the amendment could also infringe on the right of every Nigerian to contest elective offices and might complicate leadership selection based on merit.
Despite the setback, the bill’s proponents have vowed to continue pushing for the reforms. Ugochinyere described the rejection as a temporary roadblock and expressed the intention to reintroduce the bill after further consultations and legislative engagement.
He maintained that the proposed reforms are aimed at promoting inclusion, cutting governance costs, and ensuring that leaders focus on service delivery rather than re-election campaigns.
The debate underscores the broader national conversation about constitutional restructuring, power rotation, and equitable representation in Nigeria’s complex multi-ethnic and multi-regional political landscape.
