The House of Representatives has rejected a bill recommending a single term of six years for the Offices of the President, State Governors and Local Government Areas Chairmen by amending the 1999 constitution.
The proposed bill, which seeks to alter Sections 76, 116, 132, 136, and some others of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), was sponsored by Rep Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) and 33 other lawmakers, also seeks legal backing for zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats, as well as holding of the elections in one day.
The bill, in its general principles, believes “these amendments was to ensure inclusive governance and to curb wastages occasioned by four-year periodic elections.
Aside from seeking amendments to Section 132 of the Principal Act for constitutional backing for rotational presidency between the South and the North every six years, the bill also seeks alterations to Section 76 of the Principal Act to ensure all elections into the offices of President, Governors, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly shall hold simultaneously on the same date to be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission in consultation with the National Assembly and in accordance with the Electoral Act.
When the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary session put the bill to a voice vote, the House was louder against it than those who are in support of the bill.
