The lead sponsor of the constitutional amendment bill proposing a six-year single tenure for the President and governors, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has vowed to reintroduce the bill after its rejection by the House of Representatives during plenary on Thursday. Ugochinyere, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) representing Imo, emphasized the importance of the proposed reforms, describing them as essential for fostering justice, equity, and a more inclusive democracy in Nigeria.

The bill, which also sought to amend the Constitution to allow all elections to occur on the same day and to ensure a rotational presidency between the North, South, and geopolitical zones, was denied a second reading. Lawmakers refused to grant the sponsors an opportunity to present arguments supporting the bill’s principles. Despite this setback, Ugochinyere affirmed that the fight for these reforms is far from over.

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Advocating for Inclusive Democratic Reforms

In a statement issued from Abuja, Ugochinyere reassured Nigerians that the rejection of the bill does not signify the end of the proposed reforms. “The struggle to reform our constitutional democracy to be all-inclusive and provide an avenue for justice, equity, and fairness has not been lost,” he stated, promising that the sponsors would carry out additional consultations before reintroducing the bill through due legislative processes.

He explained that the reforms would address critical challenges in Nigeria’s political system. According to him, holding elections on the same day would reduce costs and minimize the risk of electoral malpractice, while implementing a rotational presidency would help de-escalate political tensions and foster national unity. The six-year single tenure, he argued, would enable elected leaders to focus on delivering on their democratic mandates without the distraction of re-election campaigns.

Temporary Setback, Not the End

Ugochinyere described the House’s decision as a “temporary setback” and expressed optimism that further dialogue and advocacy would convince lawmakers to support the bill when it is reintroduced. He called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, stating, “We will continue the advocacy and convince our colleagues to see reason with us.”