A group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Nigerian federal legislature, has introduced a constitutional amendment seeking to establish a single six-year term for presidents and governors in Nigeria. Currently, the president and governors serve a four-year term, with a maximum of two terms.
The bill also proposes the rotation of the presidency among the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria to ensure equitable representation and to reduce the agitation for state creation.
Additionally, the amendment suggests the creation of two vice presidents, one from the southern and another from the northern part of the country. The first vice president would assume the presidency in case of a vacancy, while the second would serve as the Minister of Economy. The vice presidents would be referred to as Vice President (Succession) and Vice President (Administration and Economy)
The bill further recommends harsh penalties, including long-term imprisonment, for any misuse of local government funds. It also seeks to amend the Electoral Act to consolidate all federal and state elections into a single exercise, streamlining the electoral process and reducing logistical and financial burdens associated with staggered elections.
