The House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a proposed bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to introduce a single six-year term for the President, State Governors, and Local Government Chairmen.
The bill, sponsored by Rep Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) and 33 other lawmakers, also sought to mandate zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats and the conduct of all elections on the same day.
Provisions of the Proposed Bill
The legislation aimed to amend several sections of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 76, 116, 132, and 136, among others. According to its proponents, the bill sought to “ensure inclusive governance and curb wastages occasioned by four-year periodic elections.”
Highlights of the proposed amendments include:
1. Zonal Rotation of Presidency and Governorship:
– A new subsection in Section 132 proposed that the presidency be rotated between the North and South every six years.
– Within each region, the presidency would rotate among the three geopolitical zones.
2. Simultaneous Elections Nationwide:
– Amendments to Sections 76 and 116 proposed that all elections—Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Councils—be conducted on the same day.
– The Independent National Electoral Commission would determine the election date in consultation with the National Assembly and in accordance with the Electoral Act.
3. Mid-Term Performance Accountability for Governors:
– A new Section 188 mandated governors to present a mid-term performance report at the end of their third year in office to the State House of Assembly.
– If the report was deemed unsatisfactory by a two-thirds majority of the assembly, a vote of no confidence would be passed, potentially leading to impeachment proceedings.
4. Clarification on Vice Presidential Succession:
– Section 136 proposed that if a President-elect dies or is unable to be sworn in, the Vice President-elect would assume the presidency and appoint a new Vice President with the National Assembly’s approval.
5. Limitation on Successive Terms:
– Governors who completed the term of a predecessor would be barred from running for another term.
Debate and Rejection
The Speaker of the House of Representatives presided over the plenary where the bill was debated. Advocates of the bill argued that it would promote fairness, reduce electoral costs, and ensure political inclusivity.
However, opponents raised concerns about the feasibility and desirability of such sweeping changes, with some lawmakers contending that the amendments were impractical and could lead to unintended consequences.
When the bill was put to a voice vote, the majority voted against it, and the motion failed. The Speaker ruled that “the nays have it,” effectively rejecting the bill.
The bill’s defeat underscores the contentious nature of constitutional amendments in Nigeria, particularly those affecting electoral processes and political representation.
