Reps propose 6-year tenure for president, zonal rotation

Some members of the House of Representatives have proposed an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to provide for a single tenure of six years for the president and the 36 state governors in Nigeria.

The lawmakers numbering 35 also called for an amendment to the constitution to pave the way for the rotation of the Presidency among the six geopolitical zones of the country.

They made the call at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, June 10, 2024.

The lawmakers led by the member representing Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, also sought the creation of offices for two Vice Presidents – one from the South and the other from the Northern region of the country.

The group, the Reform Minded Legislators, said the first Vice President would be a Succession Vice President, while the second Vice President would be a minister in charge of the economy, and both shall be ministers.

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The lawmakers added that the proposals on the political and electoral reform bills going for second reading would help to reduce the cost of governance and campaigns, unite the country, ensure a seamless transition, continuity, uninterrupted development, justice, equity, independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), efficient use of state resources, tackle nepotism, state capture, and corruption in electoral processes.

They also proposed an amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure that all governorship elections are held on the same day.

They equally proposed “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.”

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had in the past thrown out bills for a single tenure for political office holders in the country.

The Star