The House of Representatives has voted against a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish a single six-year term for the president, state governors, and local government chairmen.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999” (HB. 1511), aimed to amend sections 76, 116, 132, and 136 of the Constitution.
It also sought to recognize Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, rotate leadership positions such as the presidency and governorship among the zones, and hold all elections on a single day.
Proponents of the bill argued that a six-year single term would reduce the high cost of frequent elections and promote political stability across the country.
Despite these arguments, the bill encountered stiff opposition during Thursday’s plenary session and was ultimately rejected. The legislation had passed its first reading four months ago but failed to gain sufficient support for a second reading.
The rejection underscored the continued debate around constitutional reforms in Nigeria, with lawmakers remaining divided on the best approach to achieve equitable governance and cost efficiency in the country’s political system.
