By Osaiyekemwen Confidence
On Wednesday, July 17, a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for a single term of six years for the offices of the President, State Governors, and Local Government Area Chairmen passed its first reading. Sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, along with 50 other lawmakers, this private member bill aims to reduce the costs associated with four-year periodic elections.
The proposed bill seeks to alter Sections 7, 135, 137, 180, and 182 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Clause 2 of the bill amends Section 7 of the Principal Act by adding a new subsection (5) immediately after the current subsection 4 and before subsection 5, stating: “A holder of the office of a Local Government Chairman shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years commencing from the date such holder was elected into office.”
Clause 3 proposes to amend Section 135 subsections (2), (2A), and (3) of the Principal Act by replacing the word “four” with “six.” The revised section would read:
“(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six (6) years single tenure commencing from the date, when –
(a) in the case of a person first elected as President under this Constitution, he took the Oath of Allegiance and the oath of office; and
(b) in any other case, the person last elected to that office under this Constitution took the Oath of Allegiance and oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such Oaths.
“(2A) In the determination of the six years term, where a re-run election has taken place and the person earlier sworn wins the re-run election, the time spent in the office before the date the election was annulled, shall be taken into account.
“(3) If the Federation is at war in which the territory of Nigeria is physically involved and the President considers that it is not practicable to hold elections, the National Assembly may by resolution extend the period of six (6) years mentioned in subsection (2) of this section from time to time.”
This bill represents a significant step towards constitutional reform aimed at reducing election-related costs and streamlining governance in Nigeria.
