Proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill Seeks Single Six-Year Term for President, Governors, and LG Chairmen

 A bill aiming to amend the 1999 Constitution to introduce a single term of six years for the Offices of the President, State Governors, and Local Government Area Chairmen has successfully passed its first reading in the National Assembly on Wednesday, July 17.

The private member bill, sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, along with support from 50 other lawmakers, seeks to address issues related to electoral costs and governance continuity by proposing significant changes to existing constitutional provisions.

Key Amendments Proposed by the Bill:

1. Local Government Chairmen Term Limit:

   • The bill proposes amending Section 7 of the Constitution to introduce a new subsection (5) stating that Local Government Chairmen shall vacate office after a single term of six years from the date of election.

2. Presidential Term Extension:

   • Amendments to Section 135 of the Constitution are proposed to extend the presidential term to a single tenure of six years. This includes provisions for handling re-run elections and extensions during wartime.

3. Governorship Term Extension:

   • Similarly, Section 180 is targeted for amendment to stipulate that Governors shall serve a single six-year term, aligning with the proposed changes for the President.

4. Adjustments to Eligibility Criteria:

   • Clause 4 of the bill aims to amend Section 137 by deleting paragraph (b) and making appropriate renumbering adjustments.

5. Consistency Across Offices:

   • Clause 5 of the proposed legislation seeks to ensure uniformity by amending Section 182 (1), including the deletion of paragraph (b) and necessary renumbering.

The proponents of the bill argue that instituting a single term of six years for these offices will significantly reduce the cost and disruptions associated with frequent electoral cycles. They assert that longer terms will provide elected officials more time to implement policies and initiatives without the distraction of seeking re-election.

Following its first reading, the bill will undergo further readings and deliberations in the National Assembly. If successfully passed through the required stages in both the Senate and House of Representatives, the amendments will require a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber and subsequent approval by at least 24 out of 36 State Houses of Assembly before becoming law.

The proposed amendments represent a significant attempt to reform Nigeria’s electoral and governance structures. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, stakeholders and the public will closely monitor developments to assess the potential impact of these changes on the country’s political landscape and governance efficiency.