Thirty-four members of the House of Representatives who sponsored the bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution and introduce a six-year single term for the president, governors, and local government chairmen have pledged to reintroduce the bill.
Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo), the lead sponsor, made the announcement in a statement in Abuja on Friday, following the bill’s rejection on November 21 during a plenary session.
The bill also proposed the rotation of presidential and gubernatorial seats by zone and the consolidation of all elections on a single day.
Despite the setback, Ugochinyere emphasized that the rejection would not deter their efforts, assuring that further consultations would be held to build support.
“The struggle for a more inclusive constitutional democracy, ensuring justice, equity, and fairness, is far from over. The decision in the House will not end the movement for reform. We will continue to advocate and work towards reintroducing the bill following the necessary legislative procedures.”
Ugochinyere also argued that the reforms proposed in the bill, including a six-year term, zonal rotation, and the scheduling of all elections on a single day, were necessary to reduce electoral costs, curb rigging, and alleviate political tensions.
“We remain committed to convincing our colleagues of the merits of these reforms, which will strengthen our democratic process,” he added.
