BREAKING!! Nigerian lawmakers reject bill seeking six-year single term rule

By Mark Ogagan

Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a bill aimed at altering the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to introduce a single six-year term for the president, state governors, and local government chairmen.

The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999” (HB. 1511), sought to amend various sections of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 76, 116, 132, and 136 ¹.

The Federal House of Representatives is one of the two Chambers that make up the Bicameral Legislature of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is made up of 360 Members representing each of the Federal Constituencies of the country.

The bill’s objectives included recognizing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, rotating the presidency and governorship among these zones, and holding all elections on the same day. Proponents of the bill argued that a single six-year term would reduce the financial burden of frequent elections and promote national stability.

However, the bill faced opposition during Thursday’s plenary session, resulting in its rejection. The proposed legislation had passed its first reading four months ago and was slated for a second reading before being rejected.