CurrentReport Blog The House of Representatives has rejected a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish a single six-year tenure for the President and governors in Nigeria. The bill, sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who represents the Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, was debated on Thursday but failed to gain the necessary support.
The bill aimed to amend the 1999 Constitution, reducing the tenure of elected executives and lawmakers to a single six-year term. Proponents argued it would promote equitable power rotation between the North and South and reduce the financial burden of frequent elections.
“Temporary Setback”—Ugochinyere
Reacting to the rejection, Ugochinyere described the development as a “temporary setback” and vowed to reintroduce the bill in the next legislative session.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Ugochinyere said:
“After exhausting all the legislative timelines, it will be represented at the floor of the next legislative session. By tomorrow or Monday, we will be submitting the proposal to the constitutional amendment committee.”
He emphasized the importance of power rotation and urged lawmakers to reconsider the proposal.
“The struggle to have a six-year single term rotation of power between the North and South is still on. More consultations will be carried out to help members see reasons from our angle.”
Previous Proposals for a Single Term
This is not the first time the idea of a single-term tenure has been proposed. Advocates argue it would reduce political tension and ensure smoother transitions of power. However, opponents cite concerns about its feasibility and potential impact on governance.
Ugochinyere remains optimistic, promising renewed efforts to push the proposal forward. With submissions being prepared for the constitutional amendment committee, the debate over single-term tenure is far from over.
