The House of Representatives has voted against a bill aimed at amending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to establish a single six-year term for the president, state governors, and local government chairmen.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999” (HB. 1511), sought to amend several sections of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 76, 116, 132, and 136. Among its key provisions, the bill aimed to introduce a new political structure that would rotate the presidency and governorship among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and hold all elections on the same day.
Advocates of the bill argued that a single six-year term would ease the financial burden of regular elections and contribute to greater political stability across the country. They contended that reducing the frequency of elections could enable better long-term planning and reduce the political distractions that accompany multiple election cycles.
Despite its potential benefits, the bill faced strong opposition in the House of Representatives during Thursday’s plenary session, leading to its eventual rejection. The legislation, which had passed its first reading several months ago, was scheduled for its second reading before lawmakers decided to reject it. This marks a significant setback for the proponents of the reform, as they had hoped the constitutional change would modernize Nigeria’s political system.
