Some members of the House of Representatives have proposed a bill to alter the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to provide for a single tenure of six years for the president and state governors.
The lawmakers led by Mr. Ikenga Ugochinyere, are also proposing a bill for the rotation of the office of President, governors and local government chairman, amongst the six geo-political zones, and constituent parts of states and council areas respectively.
The bills, which were sponsored by Mr. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, Paul Nnamchi, Chimaobi Atu and 27 others, sought the alteration of the constitution to provide for two vice presidents in the country.
The lawmakers were equally pushing for an amendment of the Electoral Act to provide for the conduct of presidential, governorship, and the National and state assemblies polls.
Mr. Ugochinyere, while speaking on the bills at a press briefing, in Abuja, said the bills, if passed into law would address issues of governance, including the reduction of cost of governance and campaigns, “unite our country, ensure a seamless transition,” amongst others.
According to him, “there is no doubt that our country is in desperate need of a long-lasting solution to our poor economic situation, insecurity, disunity, weak institutions, weak health and education sector, corruption in public sectors, and waste of state resources.
” We have now reached a critical phase where what is at stake is the very survival of Nigeria as one political and ECONOMIC unit. We must rise to the challenge, and what we do with this opportunity given to us by our people matters a lot.”
The lawmaker said “ours is a commitment to building a united, stable, and prosperous nation, and with your contribution, cooperation, and support, Nigeria can and must become a great and modern nation. With true conscience and determination, let us join hands and re-dedicate ourselves to the service of this great country so that it will be a place we can be proud of.”
” We are once again, at the threshold of history. History has presented us with the chance to redefine and redesign our political landscape in a direction that would strengthen the bonds of unity, enhance the processes of democratic consolidation, strengthen the structures so as to solidify those values that promote democracy, good governance and good neighborliness; and open boundless opportunities for all Nigerians to be, and to feel that they are part of the evolving political process and socio-economic advancement.”
He said it was also in line with the realisation that the current political arrangement has some distortions, defects, and limitations that call for urgent, focused, and realistic attention which brought about the initiative on political and electoral reform.
He said that the Nigerian history as a nation shows that it has been through some difficult times, missed great opportunities promoting lawmakers of like minds and committed to collaborate, using the appropriate legislative instrument.
Lateefah Ibrahim
