Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has submitted a formal request to the National Assembly for a constitutional amendment that would establish a six-year single term for both the President and Governors. In a memorandum addressed to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also advocated for the rotation of the presidency between the North and South to promote inclusivity and national unity.
Atiku, who previously championed the idea of a single-term presidency during his tenure as vice president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has renewed his push for this proposal following the 2023 general elections.
Key Recommendations in Atiku’s Memorandum
Atiku’s proposals include:
- Six-Year Single Term for Presidency and Governorship
- Atiku has called for the alteration of Section 135(2) of the constitution to establish a six-year single term for the President and Governors.
- He suggests that the presidency should rotate between the six geopolitical zones of the country, alternating between the North and South.
“The office of the President shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the federation on a single term of six years, flowing between the North and South,” Atiku proposed.
- Increased Educational Requirements for Candidates
- The former vice-president proposed raising the minimum educational qualification for candidates running for office. He recommended amending the constitution to require candidates to possess an Ordinary National Diploma (OND), rather than the current requirement of a Senior Secondary School Certificate.
- Atiku proposed an amendment to Section 65(2)(a) that would require the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to receive evidence of candidates’ educational qualifications or a sworn affidavit in case of lost certificates.
“He has been educated up to at least Ordinary National Diploma in any recognised academic institution,” the proposal states.
- Strengthening the Role of Political Parties
- Atiku called for political parties to play a more decisive role in the selection of candidates. He proposed an amendment to Section 65(2)(b), which would require candidates to be registered members of a political party and for their names to be submitted to INEC 30 days before the party’s primary elections.
“He is a member of a political party whose name is in the register to be made available by his political party to INEC,” he stated.
- Substitution of Aspirants
- The former vice-president also suggested a modification to Section 285(14)(a), replacing the term “aspirant” with “voter” in matters of electoral disputes and candidate substitutions.
A Long-Standing Advocacy
Atiku has consistently supported the idea of a single-term presidency, asserting that it would reduce the intense competition for re-election, which often distracts leaders from governance. He believes that a single term of six years will allow elected officials to focus on delivering results without the pressure of campaigning for a second term.
His proposal comes amid ongoing discussions in Nigeria about the need for constitutional reforms to address governance challenges, promote national unity, and enhance the quality of leadership across the country.
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Atiku Abubakar calls for constitutional amendments to establish a six-year single term for the president and governors, and rotation of the presidency between North and South.