Reps Seek Single Tenure Of Six Years For President, Governors

 …Rotation Of Presidency Among Six Geo-Political Zones

ABUJA – Thirty-five members of the House of Representatives, under the banner of Re­formed-Minded Legislators, on Monday, said they are sponsoring a bill to rotate the presidency among the six geo-polit­ical zones of the country and proposed a single six-year term for the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors.

The legislators advocate constitu­tional recognition of the six geo-political zones for administrative convenience.

At a press conference at the National Assembly complex, their Spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, emphasised that the aim is to reduce governance costs, unify the country, and ensure a smooth transition and development.

He highlighted the need to address the challenges facing Ni­geria openly.

Ugochinyere emphasised that if the bill is passed, it will not only decrease the cost of governance and political campaigns but also foster national unity and facilitate a smooth transition, ultimately leading to unparalleled develop­ment in the country.

He underscored the impera­tive of scrutinising the obstacles impeding the progress of the Ni­gerian state, emphasising, “We must bravely convene to address our issues, obstacles, fears, ambi­tions, and potential as a nation. Let’s engage fearlessly and never fear engagement.

“In regard to governance, I, Ugochinyere, representing Ide­ato North/Idaeto South Federal Constituency, Imo State under the Peoples Democratic Party, propose a constitutional amend­ment to institute the rotation of executive powers among the six geo-political zones. This aims to ensure equitable representation and mitigate the intensity of de­mands for state creation. Our pro­posal entails amending Section 3 of the constitution to formally recognise Nigeria’s division into six geo-political zones.

The lawmakers drawn from different political parties are also seeking amendments to the constitution “to create the office of two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of Nigeria.”

Ugochinyere noted that the first vice president shall be a suc­cession vice president, while the second vice president shall be a minister in charge of the econo­my, and both shall be ministers.

He continued, “We are push­ing for a constitutional amend­ment to provide that the president and the first vice president shall come from the same part of the country (North or South) and the first vice president shall become president whenever the president becomes incapacitated, that is, VP (succession), VP (administration and economy).”

Others include financial auton­omy and accountability of local government councils by prescrib­ing an independent Consolidated Local Government Council Ac­count solely superintended by local councils and prescribing long-term imprisonment for any misuse of local government funds.

“We are seeking an amend­ment to Section 162(5) of the 1999 constitution to provide that where a state government fails to remit to the local government councils within its jurisdiction (or within the state), the amounts standing to the credit of that lo­cal government in the allocation from the federation account, such state government shall not be en­titled to receive a future allocation from the Federal Government,” Ugochinyere added.

On electoral reforms, the group proposed amendments to the relevant sections of the Elec­toral Act to ensure “that all elec­tions (presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly, and local govern­ments) are held on the same day.”

“We are pushing for the amendment of relevant Sections of the Electoral Act to provide that no declaration of a winner of an election shall be done by the relevant Independent National Electoral Commission officials until such officer has compared the results with the list of ac­credited voters and ensured that the results to be declared are in tandem with the list of accredited voters and the B-VAS machine or any other electronic device.

“Amend the Electoral Act to provide that any INEC officer who declares a false result will be liable for civil and criminal action personally brought against him by parties in the elections.

“An amendment to the Elec­toral Act to provide that all elec­tion-related litigations must be resolved and determined by the Elections Petitions Tribunal, Ap­peal Courts, etc before the win­ners are sworn into the respective elective offices.

“An amendment of the Elec­toral Act to make provision for the conduct and conclusion of all elections and election-related litigation within six months be­fore the swearing into office of the validly elected person for the office contested.

“An amendment of the Electoral Act to provide that all election-related documents and materials must be made avail­able to those who participated in elections and who have reasons to question/petition the elections at the elections tribunal,” he added.

In his contribution, one of the 35 lawmakers and member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, said, “These laws requiring amendments are sick and re­quire medications. We will not pretend not to have known the several agitations over time of where the presidency should go. When it goes North, those in the South will begin to clamour and vice-versa. In most cases, people don’t get their turn because they just wish for it.

“If we cure this defect with this amendment, everybody will be guaranteed that sometime, you will have the opportunity and that will bond us the more.”

On his part, a member of the Labour Party representing Enu­gu-East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constitu­ency, Enugu State, Paul Nnamchi, said elections held in one day will save the country the enormous cost of having polls held on dif­ferent days.

On his part, Matthew Nwogu, who represents Aboh Mbaise/ Ngor Okpala Federal Constituen­cy, Imo State, advocates a single term for elected officials, arguing that it would focus their attention on governance.

He further suggests that off-season elections should only occur in the event of impeach­ment or the death of an elected official.

“Each year, we strive for elec­tion reforms, yet we see little change. Consolidating election dates and implementing single tenures for presidents and gover­nors could shift the focus from re­election to legacy,” he emphasised.

“Having elections every four years is a waste of resources,” he argued. “Off-season elections should only occur due to im­peachment or the death of an office holder.

“Having elections every four years is a waste of resources,” he argued.

Independent