On Wednesday, the Nigerian House of Representatives advanced a pivotal legislative proposal by passing the first reading of a bill aimed at amending the 1999 Constitution to introduce a single six-year term for the President, state governors, and Local Government Area chairmen. This monumental bill, spearheaded by Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, along with 50 other lawmakers, is designed to overhaul the nation’s electoral system and significantly reduce election-related costs.
The proposed amendments focus on critical sections of the Constitution, specifically Sections 7, 135, 137, 180, and 182 (1). The bill meticulously outlines its intentions through several key clauses:
Clause 2: This clause proposes an amendment to Section 7 by adding a new subsection (5). The new subsection mandates that, “A holder of the office of a Local Government Chairman shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years commencing from the date such holder was elected into office.” This amendment seeks to standardize the tenure of local government officials, providing a more consistent governance period.
Clause 3: This clause aims to amend Section 135 by modifying subsections (2), (2A), and (3) to replace the current four-year term with a six-year term for the President. The revised text stipulates that, “The President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six (6) years single tenure commencing from the date, when – (a) in the case of a person first elected as President under this Constitution, he took the Oath of Allegiance and the oath of office; and (b) in any other case, the person last elected to that office under this Constitution took the oath of allegiance and oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such oaths.”
Additionally, Clause 3 includes provisions for situations involving re-run elections and national emergencies. It ensures that time spent in office before an election annulment is counted towards the six-year term and allows the National Assembly to extend the President’s tenure in times of war, though such extensions are capped at six months each.
Clause 4: This clause focuses on Section 137, proposing the deletion of paragraph (b) and appropriate renumbering. This amendment is part of the broader effort to streamline and modernize the constitutional provisions governing presidential terms.
Clause 5: This clause seeks to amend Section 180 by deleting the current subsections 2 and 3, replacing them with new subsections that align with the six-year term framework.
The introduction of this bill marks a significant step towards reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape. Proponents argue that extending the tenure of key political offices to a single six-year term will reduce the frequency and cost of elections, thereby promoting greater stability and continuity in governance.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it is poised to spark extensive debate and analysis, reflecting the diverse perspectives and interests of Nigeria’s lawmakers and the public. The successful passage of this bill could usher in a new era of governance, characterized by longer-term planning and implementation of policies, ultimately benefiting the nation’s development and democratic integrity.
PIONEER NEWS 