Written by Clifford Ndujihe, Dayo Johnson, John Alechenu, Omeiza Ajayi, Rotimi Ojomoera, Shina Abubakar, Raolu Elijah, Deora Badr
Is it really necessary to have a rotating chairmanship? Instead of rotation, why not select the best candidates regardless of tribe, language, or region? Is there any benefit to a single term of 5 years or more? Can single-term presidents improve presidential performance and lead to national development? Can rotating presidents really ensure the country’s political stability? These were some of the questions raised by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for a six-year, single-term rotating presidential system between the country’s six geopolitical zones during the national election over the weekend.
In response to the National Assembly’s call for input on the ongoing move to review the 1999 Constitutional Amendment Bill, former Vice President and 2023 Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, said that the National Assembly Secretariat said: said. The president should rotate between the six geopolitical zones of the federation during a six-year term, rotating between north and south. Atiku’s proposal, dated August 30 and obtained last Thursday, was addressed to Senator Barau Jibrin, Vice President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Constitutional Review Committee. Specifically, Mr. Atiku proposed that Article 135(2) should be amended as follows: in. “He also proposed electoral reform, the qualifications of presidential candidates, and the strengthening of political parties.
Harmonization of past proposals
Atiku power rotation. This proposal appears to harmonize previous proposals and recommendations regarding rotating presidentships over the past 30 years. A rotating presidential system was first proposed at the 1994 National Conference, where delegates recommended a rotating presidential system between the North and South. The conference divided the country into six geopolitical zones, which will serve as the basis for the change of presidential power. There was silence for a period. In 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan, a southerner who succeeded the late northerner Umaru Musa Yardua, faced election-related violence and tensions with incumbent members seeking re-election. He sought a single-term seven-year presidency in order to alleviate the rising tide of opposition. Re-elected. The proposal was unpopular as it could increase corruption, reduce accountability, and reduce incentives for leaders to perform well to avoid repercussions if voted down. Ta. The immediate past Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) also claimed a seven-year, single-term rotating presidency. His reasons are: Promoting equity and equity. He argued that it is important to ensure focus on governance, reduce tensions and avoid disruptions that could affect governance by incumbents seeking re-election.
The 2014 National Conference recommended rotating the presidency among the three zones to promote political stability and ensure all zones have a sense of belonging and participation in government. Not a single term like Jonathan, Osinbajo or Atiku was recommended.
Nigeria needs restructuring and a credible electoral process — Okolie
Commenting on Mr. Atiku’s proposal, Chief Chekwas Okolie, the first National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, said what Nigeria needed now was a restructuring of the administration without any six-year term. . Mr. Okolie said the single six-year proposal is not new and not much has changed for the worse since it was first proposed some 30 years ago, adding that the late Vice President Alex Ekwueme also He said he had made a similar complaint. It was convened in 1994 by the late Head of State Sani Abacha. Mr. Okolie said: “While I am not totally opposed to the idea of a six-year single term, I would rather suggest that we restructure this country to give all our citizens a sense of belonging.
“What we need now is to establish a reliable electoral process based on technology, where the votes of the people are taken into account, not the votes of the moment.” ) Recall that at the national conference hosted by General Abacha, Alex Ekwueme proposed a single term of six years.If we had agreed and implemented it, the presidency would have been six years They would have rotated between zones, and then the terms would have been six years.” After 36 years, each zone would have a president, with one zone dominating and trying to make the others second-class citizens. The fear would probably have disappeared. “Even at the last national conference hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014, the recommendations were made unanimously. In fact, we reached agreement on 660 different issues, but unfortunately the President does not have the courage to implement them. “We should now create structures that make the presidency less attractive. California is the wealthiest state in the United States, but the way the American system works is that people are unionizing. There was never any instigation to leave.”
The proposal is novel — Adewale
Political analyst and former Ondo State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Hon Stephen Adewale said: “The six-year term theory has been around for a while, and it is a positive development. Experience since 1999 has shown that elected officials always have two years to serve the people, and then the rest. The two years have proven to be spent planning for re-election.
“Those who are re-elected will spend their second term doing frivolous things because there is no office to run for. Just one term will undoubtedly enable politicians to better serve their people and country. But there are questions that require answers. What will be accomplished in just a six-year term? Why six years and not five? I believe 5 years is much better and reasonable. “Think about our university system. At some point, the federal government felt that politics was killing politics.
As a result, the term of office of the vice-chancellor was limited to one five-year term, and the university system regained some semblance of health. If properly planned and implemented, one five-year term could be the tonic our political system needs.
“We also agree that it is time to take steps to strengthen our election laws. Nevertheless, our election laws have been amended many times over the years. When it comes to the law, we are no longer in the same position as we were in 1999. As a result, there are no gaps in our election laws. Institutional independence. “If Alhaji Atiku’s position means that the structure of INEC and state electoral bodies is completely free from political interference and there is substantial autonomy for election judges, then Such proposals are a positive development.
It will create a sense of belonging and disenfranchise
Ondo State PDP Public Relations Secretary Kennedy Peretei said: “A rotating presidency will give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and remove the sense of entitlement that some parts of the country pride themselves on. In the face of an incompetent leader that the people have to endure for eight years, one term of six years is not a bad idea.
The proposal is not new — Ogunsiyi
Reacting, former Commissioner for Information and Citizenship and Public Analyst, Lanre Ogunsuyi, said Atiku Abubakar’s proposal “is no longer new, it is the medium that matters”. “But in reality, this is a welcome addition to the other proposed amendments. Elections in Nigeria are akin to wars, with attendant conflicts, violence and other manipulations, with voters and It would result in the death of poll workers and even the death of the democratic process itself. “A rotating one-term president would reduce not only election-related tensions, but also election fraud and possibly corruption and election costs. ”
Atiku’s approach is bold — Hassan
Also speaking was Mr. Barr, Chairman, Yoruba Council Worldwide. Mr. Oladutun Hassan said: “We commend Mr. Atiku Abubakar for his bold initiative in proposing a rotating presidency and a six-year single term. “This approach will greatly strengthen national unity and ensure that all regions of Nigeria are represented in our governance. The concept of a rotating presidency has the potential to address historical grievances and foster a spirit of inclusivity that is essential to our diverse nation. .”
Atiku’s six-year single term is nothing new — Duru Former MP Nze Chidi Duru said Atiku’s proposal was an interesting development, but it was not new since former Vice President Alex Ekwueme They were not making the same proposal. But Mr Dulu, who is the deputy national organizational unit head of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke about his personal capabilities. he said: “Very interesting. The late Alex Ekwueme suggested this earlier. I welcome all opinions as well.
“However, while the idea of six-year terms is worth considering, we must be cautious. It is important to consider the impact such proposals would have on accountability and democratic processes. “Six-year terms Therefore, guaranteeing a long term without immediate pressure for re-election may reduce the incentive for leaders to act in the best interests of voters, leading to a lack of responsiveness to voters. “We must ensure that strong checks and balances mechanisms are in place to prevent potential abuses of power and maintain healthy relations between governments and the governed.
“Furthermore, I wholeheartedly support the focus on strengthening electoral laws. The integrity of the electoral process is fundamental to the health of our democracy. This not only increases public confidence in our democracy, but also increases public participation so that they feel that their vote really matters. “Additionally, the proposal to establish an academic qualification for political office is also an important consideration.Our leaders will have the knowledge, skills, and skills needed to govern effectively. It must have an ethical foundation.
“By setting standards for educational attainment, we can encourage a new generation of knowledgeable and capable leaders who are equipped to address the complex challenges facing this country.” As we move forward, I urge all stakeholders, especially those within the Yoruba community, to actively participate in this dialogue to reflect our collective aspirations and promote inclusivity. It is important to advocate for a governance framework where “our voices are heard in shaping Nigeria’s future and where all ethnic groups are valued and represented in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. “While we understand the intentions behind Atiku Abubakar’s proposals, we must ensure that we approach these discussions with a critical mind and a determination to strengthen the democratic process. Together, we can work towards a Nigeria that is truly representative and responsive to the needs of all its citizens.”
Proposals suppress transplants — Salewon
Notary public Bamidele Kowel Salewon said that if the president is allowed to serve a single term, “corruption will be curbed and this deadly politics will stop.” For example, if you know you’re only going there for one semester, you know you’re going there to work. “And if it becomes a rotational system, you don’t want your area to go bankrupt. It’s not like you won’t do well if you have an Igbo, a Yoruba, a Hausa there. They’ll work very hard. I think that’s a good thing, and I would like the Diet to take a critical look at it. “Constitutional amendments are not usually passed in a day, so it takes time to pass the necessary amendments.” It will happen after the South’s eight-year term ends, so as not to cause any confusion.
We need good governance, not term limits. — Fehintola
Mr. Adeola Fehintola, an Ibadan-based legal practitioner, feels that it is not tenure that matters but good governance. “If a leader governs well, then six years is too short. If he governs badly, six years is too long. What is important here is good governance and tenure and It’s not a rotation.”
