The House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a bill aimed at amending the 1999 Constitution to introduce a single six-year term for the offices of the president, governors, and local government chairmen.
The bill, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member representing Ideato North, South Federal Constituency of Imo State, alongside 33 other lawmakers, also proposed zonal rotation of the presidential and governorship positions and the holding of elections for all offices on the same day.
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The proposed amendments sought changes to Sections 76, 116, 132, and 136 of the Constitution. According to the bill’s general principles, the amendments were designed to promote inclusive governance and reduce wastage caused by periodic four-year elections.
A key provision in the bill was the proposal to amend Section 132, which would ensure that presidential elections are rotated every six years between the northern and southern regions of Nigeria. The new clause would mandate that, within each region, the presidency rotates among the three geopolitical zones.
Additionally, the bill called for the simultaneous conduct of elections for the offices of President, Governors, National Assembly members, State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Councils, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) coordinating the dates in consultation with the National Assembly.
Section 136 was also proposed to be amended to include a provision stating that if the elected president dies before taking office, the First Vice President would assume the presidency and appoint a new Vice President, subject to National Assembly approval.
Despite the bill’s push for comprehensive constitutional reform, the House rejected the proposed amendments, leaving the current system of periodic elections intact.
