The House of Representatives has rejected a bill intending to amend the Constitution to establish a single six-year term for the president and state governors.
The bill also suggested a divide of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones, the measure, which was proposed by the Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, called for the president, state governor, and local government council chairmen to alternate between the several inherent regions and zones.
Additionally, the law aimed to allow for the holding of all national elections on the same day.
The majority of MPs voted against the bill that was supposed to be read a second time when it came up for voting. It’s 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 for members of the National Assembly to gain more experience in six years instead of four.
According to him, re-election for the President and governors cost 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.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had also proposed a further amendment of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 to accommodate a six-year single term for a President for each of the six geopolitical zones.
He added that the law must mandate electronic voting and collation of results, compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to verify the credentials of candidates, amongst others.
