A proposed constitutional amendment to establish a single six-year term for the offices of the President and state governors has been rejected by Nigeria’s House of Representatives.
The bill, sponsored by Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, sought to create a six-year term, ensure the rotation of leadership positions among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, and mandate all elections to be conducted on the same day.
However, during its second reading on the House floor, the majority of lawmakers voted against it. This is not the first time such a proposal has failed.
A similar bill in 2019, introduced by Honourable John Dyegh of Benue State, also failed to progress past the second reading. That bill extended its scope to include a six-year term for legislators, arguing that extended terms would reduce election violence, lower costs, and provide lawmakers with more experience.
Prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, have expressed support for single-term limits in the past, citing benefits such as curbing election irregularities and fostering governance free of re-election pressures.
Despite the ongoing debate, the House’s decision highlights the challenge of building consensus on constitutional reforms aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s electoral framework.
