Lawmakers Propose Six-Year Single Tenure For President, Govs

A group of legislators in the House of Representatives have put forward a series of amendments to the 1999 Constitution to enhance governance in the country, this include seeking single tenure for president.

Led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member representing Ideato Federal Constituency, the Reform Minded Legislators have proposed a six-year single tenure for the President and the 36 state governors.

Their proposals, which are part of the political and electoral reform bills currently undergoing second reading, are designed to address various issues such as reducing the cost of governance and campaigns, fostering national unity, ensuring a smooth transition of power, promoting continuity and uninterrupted development, upholding justice and equity, safeguarding the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), promoting efficient use of state resources, combating nepotism, state capture, and corruption in electoral processes.

Additionally, lawmakers have called for the establishment of two Vice Presidential offices, one in the Southern region and the other in the Northern region.

Under their proposal, the first Vice President would serve as a succession vice president. In contrast, the second Vice President would oversee the economy, and both would hold ministerial positions.

The assembly also suggested an addition to the Electoral Act 2022 to guarantee that every gubernatorial election takes place on the same day.

The assembly, comprising approximately 30 legislators, also suggested a change to the constitution to allow for the rotation of executive powers across the six geopolitical zones. This would ensure fair representation and slow down the pace of protests over state formation.

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Other proposals are: “Constitutional Amendment to provide that the President and the 1st Vice President shall come from the same part of the country (north or south) and the 1st Vice President shall become President whenever the President becomes incapacitated, i.e., V.P. (Succession), V.P. (Administration and Economy)

“The financial autonomy and accountability of Local Government Councils by prescribing an independent Consolidated Local Government Council Account solely superintended by Local Councils and prescribing long-term imprisonment for any misuse of Local Government funds.”

Recently, the suggestion that political leaders be limited to a single six-year term instead of two four-year terms has been discussed.

Top critics of the ruling party, such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have advocated for a one-term limit for the presidency following their defeat in the 2023 presidential election to Bola Tinubu from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the past, the Senate and the House of Representatives have rejected proposals to impose a one-term limit on political office holders.