Atiku Seeks Constitutional Amendment for Single Six-Year Term for President and Governors
In a move aimed at reforming the country’s political landscape, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to introduce a single six-year term for the President and state governors.
Atiku, in a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, has also suggested that the presidency should be rotated between the North and South on a single term of six years. This proposal is not new, as it was also advocated for by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his tenure.
The proposed amendment seeks to modify Section 135(2) of the Constitution, which would require the President to vacate office at the expiration of a six-year term. Additionally, Atiku has suggested substituting the current aspirant substitution clause in Section 285(14)(a) with a voter substitution clause.
Furthermore, Atiku has proposed raising the minimum educational qualification for presidential and gubernatorial candidates from the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to the Ordinary National Diploma (OND). He has suggested amending Section 65(2)(a) of the Constitution to reflect this change.
To ensure transparency in the election process, Atiku has also recommended that candidates submit evidence of their educational qualifications to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or an affidavit in the event of lost certificates. He has also proposed inserting a new paragraph in Section 65(2)(a)(i) to emphasize the importance of submitting relevant documents.
In another significant proposal, Atiku has suggested giving political parties more power in the candidate selection process. He has proposed amending Section 65(2)(b) to require that presidential and gubernatorial candidates be sponsored by their respective political parties.
Atiku’s proposals are aimed at promoting stability and continuity in governance, as well as ensuring that political leaders have a fixed term to focus on developing the country without being distracted by re-election campaigns. His proposals are now before the National Assembly, which will review and consider them before making any changes to the Constitution.
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