Some members of the Home of Representatives have pledged to reintroduce a invoice proposing a six-year single time period for Nigeria’s president, regardless of its earlier rejection by the Home.
The invoice, sponsored by 34 lawmakers, seeks to amend the 1999 Structure to vary the presidential tenure from two four-year phrases to a single six-year time period.
Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo), who led the sponsorship of the invoice, disclosed the lawmakers’ decision in a press release on Friday in Abuja, following its rejection throughout Thursday’s plenary session.
The invoice additionally proposed establishing a six-year single time period for governors and native authorities chairpersons, in addition to introducing zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats. Moreover, it beneficial holding all elections on the identical day nationwide.
Ugochinyere expressed optimism, emphasizing that additional consultations can be made to make sure the invoice’s reintroduction. He careworn that the rejection of the invoice wouldn’t halt the push for reform.
“The wrestle to reform our constitutional democracy to make sure inclusivity and supply justice, fairness, and equity has not been misplaced,” he stated.
He added, “The choice on the ground of the Home to not enable the invoice for a six-year single tenure and unified elections is not going to halt the agitation.”
Ugochinyere described the rejection as a brief setback and reiterated his dedication to the invoice’s goals.
“We’ll overview this determination and discover methods to reintroduce the invoice, following correct legislative procedures,” he stated. “Our advocacy will proceed, and we goal to persuade our colleagues to see the advantages of those reforms.”
He argued that holding all elections on the identical day would scale back prices and curb electoral malpractice, whereas a rotational energy construction would ease political tensions. He additional acknowledged {that a} six-year single time period would allow elected leaders to focus extra on fulfilling their mandates.
“We stay decided to realize a extra inclusive and environment friendly democratic course of,” Ugochinyere concluded.
