A former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has written to the National Assembly, requesting an amendment to the Constitution to allow for a six-year single term for the President and state governors.

In a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also proposed that the presidency be rotated between the North and South.

It is noteworthy that during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency, he advocated for a six-year single term for the presidential seat.

Following the 2023 general elections, Atiku has continued to support this tenure proposal.

He stated, “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 on the single term of six years respectively.”

Atiku urged the National Assembly to “amend Section 135(2) to read: ‘Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years.’”

Additionally, he proposed the “substitution of an aspirant” in Section 285(14)(a) with “a voter.”

The former Vice President also suggested that the minimum educational qualification for a person to run for election should be the Ordinary National Diploma instead of the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. He proposed an amendment to Section 65(2)(a) to read: “He has been educated up to at least Ordinary National Diploma in any recognised academic institution.”

Furthermore, he recommended the insertion of a paragraph in Section 65(2)(a)(i) to read: “Evidence of certificates of all educational qualifications of a candidate shall be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission or an affidavit by the candidate in the event of loss of his/her educational certificates, qualifications obtained, and dates, stating the schools attended.”

Atiku also advocated for political parties to have more power in the candidate selection process. He proposed an “amendment to Section 65(2)(b) to read: ‘He is a member of a political party whose name is in the register to be made available by his political party to the Independent National Electoral Commission 30 days before the conduct of the political party’s primary and he is sponsored by that party.’'

vowiski:
Lol, so a useless president can stay for 6 years..

4 year tenure is still better.

At least they perform for 2 years out of the 8 years.

1 year each before election, for performance.

Imagine 6 years with nothing to lose, a looting spree

vowiski:
Lol, so a useless president can stay for 6 years..

4 year tenure is still better.

At least they perform for 2 years out of the 8 years.

1 year each before election, for performance.

Imagine 6 years with nothing to lose, a looting spree

MadPolitician:


Where are the performances you're talking about? Where are buharis and Tinubus "two years" wonderful performances? Has the country not been practicing 4 years double tenures that has ruined everything and accentuated the level of ethnic acrimony across regions? Copying everything done in America, is part of our political problems in Nigeria. Who needs a bicameral Legislature at Abuja for instance, when all of tinubus bills are passed with ease?

Imagine the billions that could be saved if we only have a single house of less than 60 men as the National Assembly. Atiku seems to be the only one amongst them, that is worried about what is going on. Few days ago, he warned everyone of the dangers of a "one party state", and some were laughing because they are currently ontop. They will soon cry when they're at the receiving end. He seems to understand that an illegitimate president, can not spur a nation towards political peace and economic growth.

Anither563:
He wants to bribe the lawmakers with 6 years so they can make his criminality of certificate forgery and fraud easy for him.

vowiski:
Lol, so a useless president can stay for 6 years..

4 year tenure is still better.

At least they perform for 2 years out of the 8 years.

1 year each before election, for performance.

Imagine 6 years with nothing to lose, a looting spree

Atiku also proposed that the presidency be rotated between the North and South.

vowiski:
Lol, so a useless president can stay for 6 years..

4 year tenure is still better.

At least they perform for 2 years out of the 8 years.

1 year each before election, for performance.

Imagine 6 years with nothing to lose, a looting spree