The House of Representatives on Thursday voted against a bill proposing a single six-year term for the offices of the President, State Governors, and Local Government Chairmen.
Sponsored by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) and 33 co-sponsors, the bill also sought to mandate zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats and hold all elections on the same day. The proposal aimed to amend sections of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 76, 116, 132, and 136, to promote inclusive governance and reduce election-related expenses.
Key provisions included:
– Rotating the presidency between the North and South every six years, with further rotation among geopolitical zones within each region.
– Simultaneous elections for all political offices on a single date determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in consultation with the National Assembly.
– Mandating governors to present mid-term performance reports to their State Houses of Assembly, with a possible impeachment process for unsatisfactory performance.
Despite its intended reforms, the bill faced strong opposition during the plenary session. After a voice vote called by the Speaker, the proposal was overwhelmingly rejected.
