Bill Proposing Six-Year Single Term for President and Governors Fails in House of Representatives

Written on 21/11/2024
Sundiata Post

The House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment bill seeking to introduce a single six-year term for Nigeria’s president and state governors.

The bill, sponsored by Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, also proposed a rotational presidency and governorship among Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and regions.

The initiative aimed to promote equitable representation and reduce political tensions over leadership transitions. However, it failed to gain the necessary support during the lower legislative chamber deliberations.



The bill also sought to make it possible for all elections in the country to be held on a single day.

When the bill which was scheduled for second reading was put to vote, the lawmakers voted against it.

This is not the first time the House will reject a bill seeking a six-year single term for president and governors.

In 2019, the bill, sponsored by John Dyegh from Benue State, failed to progress to the second reading.
 
Dyegh’s bill had also considered a six-year term for Members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
 
He argued that the bill was necessary to for members of the National Assembly to gain more experience in six years instead of four.