Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for a single six-year presidential term has generated controversy among Nigerians.
Atiku, a 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential contender, advocated for a single six-year presidential term in Nigeria.
He advocated amending 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 commencing from the date of swearing-in.”
In response to the National Assembly’s request for opinion on its current review of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Atiku stated that the presidency should be rotated among the Federation’s six geographic zones.
Atiku’s proposal was made to Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.
Arewa youths see a six-year single-term president as a remedy for distraction.
Yerima Shettima, National President of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), supported Atiku’s request, saying the plan will minimize distractions among political officeholders who always look forward to a second term after their first year in power.
Speaking to reporters, Shettima said:
“I will agree with the single-term rotational presidency because, with the way politicians are becoming desperate by the day, I think it would reduce anxiety, desperation, and tension.
“Once somebody’s term is short, he would definitely clear up for another person rather than this issue of distraction where they believe in coming back for a second term.
“If you notice, their mandate is for four years but the moment they get the first year, rather than remain focused to provide governance in the second year, they start positioning themselves for a second term.
“So, they only have one year out of the four to work and that’s why we often have the challenges of the government coming out without instituting any concrete infrastructure or any meaningful impact as regards governance or the mandate.
“So, I think it’s a sign of distraction; if we can amend the constitution to reduce the whole governance to six years and one term for anyone in the executive office.
“It will go a long way and we can feel the first four years; even if he wants to bring in somebody, he will concentrate for the first four years and he can use the remaining two years to seek support for whoever he wants to succeed him.”
Shettima, however, expressed fear that the National Assembly might not allow Atiku’s proposal to scale through.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
