In a move aimed at reducing election costs and promoting stability, the House of Representatives has passed a bill proposing amendments to the 1999 Constitution to introduce a 6-year single tenure for the offices of the President, state governors, and Local Government Areas chairmen.
The bill, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere and 50 other lawmakers, seeks to reform sections 7, 135, 137, 180, and 182(1) of the constitution. According to the proposed amendments, the tenure of these officials would be extended to six years, which proponents argue would reduce the financial burden associated with frequent elections.
The bill proposes inserting a new subsection (5) into section 7 of the constitution, which would require Local Government Chairmen to vacate their offices after six years in office. Similarly, section 135 would be amended to replace the current four-year term for the President with a 6-year single tenure.
The bill also proposes amending section 137 by deleting paragraph (b) and renumbering accordingly. Furthermore, section 180 would be revised to introduce new subsections 2 and 3.
Proponents of the bill argue that extending the tenure of these officials would promote stability and continuity in governance, allowing them to focus on implementing long-term policies and projects. The proposed amendments are expected to be debated further in the Senate before being sent to the President for assent.
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