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By Emmanuel Kwada
In a significant legislative setback, the House of Representatives has voted down a bill that proposed a six-year single term for the offices of President and state governors. The bill, sponsored by Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, was meant to amend the Constitution and included provisions for the rotation of leadership among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, as well as scheduling all national elections on a single day.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar previously advocated for amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to embrace a six-year term
During the second reading of the bill, a majority of lawmakers expressed opposition, resulting in the bill’s failure to advance. This marks the second consecutive time such a proposal has been rejected in the House, having previously been put forth by John Dyegh in 2019, which also failed to progress.
Dyegh’s earlier proposal sought to implement a single six-year term for Members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, arguing that longer terms would allow legislators to gain valuable experience and reduce the financial burden and violence associated with re-elections. He asserted that the costs incurred during re-election campaigns often eclipsed those of initial elections, contributing to electoral tension and irregularities.
The concept of a single term for elected officials has gained some traction among Nigerian political figures. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar previously advocated for amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to embrace a six-year term, coupled with mandatory electronic voting and candidate verification by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Sometimes, these conversations about single term might begin to make some sense so that you fix it, whether you say four years or five years, six years, seven years
Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has also publicly supported a single term for politicians. In June, he remarked, “Sometimes, these conversations about single term might begin to make some sense so that you fix it, whether you say four years or five years, six years, seven years, single term,” highlighting the distractions that upcoming elections often create for serving officials who are focused on governance rather than campaigning.
Despite the support from various political figures and the public discourse surrounding the need for electoral reform, the recent rejection of the bill indicates persistent challenges in altering the existing political structure in Nigeria.
Reactions are anticipated from both supporters and opponents of the proposal, as the discourse on electoral reforms continues to unfold in the corridors of power. As Nigeria prepares for future elections, the implications of this legislative decision may resonate deeply within political and civic communities alike.
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