By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A group of Nigeria’s House of Representatives members are proposing an alteration to the 1999 Constitution to allow for a single tenure of six years for the President and Governors in the country.
The group comprising 35 lawmakers, is also demanding an amendment to provide for the rotation of executive powers among the six geopolitical zones of the West African country.
This is to ensure equal representation and reduce the desperation and tempo of agitation for the creation of states, the lawmakers argued.
At a news conference in the capital Abuja on Monday, the lawmakers led by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) are also seeking the amendment of Section III of the constitution to provide for the recognition of the division of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones.
“The bill is also seeking reduction in government spending and wastage, efficiency in governance, and national stability by providing a single term of six years for the President and Governors”, Ugochinyere stated.
“We want the creation of the office of two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of Nigeria.
”The 1st vice shall be a succession Vice president, while the 2nd Vice president shall be a Minister in charge of the Economy, and both shall be Ministers”, the group demanded.
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Heritage Times HT reports that Nigeria’s presidential system allows the President to have one Vice and both have a two-tenure limit of four years each.
Same also applies to the governors of the 36 states.
The group added that, the financial autonomy and accountability of Local Government Councils by prescribing an independent Consolidated Local Government Council Account was germane.
According to Ugochinyere, this would be solely superintended by Local Councils and prescribing long-term imprisonment for any misuse of Local Government funds.
He said that the bill would seek to amend the relevant sections of the Electoral Act to ensure that all elections at both Federal and State levels were held on the same day among others.
The lawmaker said that the bill, if it becomes an Act, would ensure that all elections and election-related litigation were concluded within a period of six months.
This, according to him, is before the swearing into office of the validly elected person for the office contested.
“Ours is a commitment to building a united, stable, and prosperous nation. Nigeria can and must become a great and modern nation.”
