After being rejected in the House of Representatives, Rep. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere’s proposal for a six-year single term for Nigeria’s president and governors has generated a great deal of political discussion. In addition to extending the term, the bill, which had the support of 33 other parliamentarians, attempted to implement reforms that would promote national cohesion and the effectiveness of government. These included designating two vice-presidential posts for delegates from the north and south, requiring all elections to take place on the same day, and alternating the presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The bill’s supporters contend that the changes will lessen the resource waste and desperation that come with reelection campaigns, which frequently threaten governance. A six-year term limit, they argue, might incentivise leaders to prioritise leaving a legacy over winning a second term. Long-standing regional and ethnic disparities in political representation are also thought to be addressed by the rotating president. The bill also suggested important changes to the Electoral Act, including requiring the use of Technology to verify election results, holding all elections on the same day, and guaranteeing that election-related litigations are resolved prior to the swearing-in of elected officials.
During its second reading, the bill was loudly rejected.
These policies, according to their supporters, might improve election stability, lower expenses, and increase transparency. Critics have voiced worries about the possible drawbacks of a system with only one term, though. The possibility that established power relations could endure even with rotating leadership is one of these, as does the risk of diminished accountability as leaders would not be up for reelection. During its second reading, the bill was loudly rejected, indicating that MPs were sceptical of its viability and implications.
This plan is in line with past calls for a six-year single term and rotating president made by leaders such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in an effort to promote unity and solve political inequality. Despite these initiatives, broad political support and the consent of several governmental levels are necessary for constitutional revisions of this magnitude, which present formidable obstacles. In Nigeria, where balancing regional interests, fostering efficiency, and resolving structural defects remain critical issues for the country’s democracy, the current debate underscores the complexity of governance change.
Nig. transitioned to democracy in 1999 with the two-term system.
According to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, the president has a four-year term and is eligible to run for reelection a second time, for a total of eight years in office. The structure of state governors’ gubernatorial terms is reflected in this scheme. General elections are used to elect presidents and governors. In order to be widely accepted either nationally or within their respective states, the victor must receive the majority of votes and at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states. After decades of military dictatorship, Nigeria transitioned to democracy in 1999, bringing with it the two-term system.
While giving leaders enough time to carry out their plans and policies, the goal was to prevent the consolidation of power. With discussions concerning possible changes, such as proposals for single terms to ease election tensions and prioritise governance over politics, the tenure system has occasionally proven controversial. Past presidents have successfully and unsuccessfully negotiated this framework. Olusegun Obasanjo, who served as president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, for example, fulfilled the two-term limit but came under fire for purportedly advocating for a third term through a constitutional amendment. National indignation ensued, and the National Assembly finally rejected this.
A constitutional amendment would be necessary for any change.
Similar to this, succeeding presidents have followed the constitution, and any attempt to change the tenure system has come under intense public and legislative scrutiny. Ugochinyere’s proposal for a single six-year term is one that attempts to solve perceived inefficiencies in the current system, including the expense of periodic elections and the distraction of re-election campaigns. A constitutional amendment would be necessary for any change, though, and would need the consent of 24 out of 36 state legislatures and two-thirds of the National Assembly—a difficult requirement to satisfy given Nigeria’s divisive and diverse political environment.