Amid Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional review process, the Senate has clarified its stance on two contentious issues: the proposal for a six-year single term for the President and the reintroduction of regionalism.
The debate was sparked by a bill introduced in the House of Representatives last Monday, championed by 35 legislators advocating for a single six-year term for both the President and state governors. The bill also proposes the rotation of the presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Addressing reporters at the National Assembly Complex, Ikenga Ugochinyere, spokesman for the group known as Reformed-minded Legislators, emphasized that the constitutional amendment aims to reduce the cost of governance, foster national unity, and ensure a smooth transition of power.
Ugochinyere explained, “We are proposing a constitutional alteration to introduce rotational executive powers among the six geopolitical zones, ensuring equitable representation and alleviating demands for state creation.”
The proposed legislation, authored by Akin Fapohunda of the Yoruba socio-cultural association, Afenifere, is titled ‘A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’. It seeks comprehensive reforms under the ‘Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024’.
Fapohunda indicated that the bill would be submitted to the President for consideration and public release after a seven-day waiting period.
Responding to inquiries about the proposed amendments, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu clarified the Senate’s role as a neutral forum for aggregating diverse opinions from Nigerians nationwide.
Adaramodu reiterated, “The Senate does not hold a specific position on this matter. Our role is to gather and represent the diverse opinions expressed by Nigerians. When people from towns, villages, metropolitan and cosmopolitan regions, and states convey their desires, we aggregate them to guide our direction.”
He further emphasized, “Therefore, the Senate remains neutral regarding the proposal for a six-year single term tenure for the executive. We are committed to reflecting the collective will of Nigerians in our legislative deliberations.”
