In a bid to reshape the political landscape and foster unity across the nation, a group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives, known as “The Reformers Caucus,” has introduced a series of bills aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s constitutional and electoral frameworks.
Led by Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), the caucus unveiled six constitutional alteration bills during a briefing session at the National Assembly Complex on Monday.
Among these proposals is a bold move to amend the tenure of the president and governors to a single six-year term, alongside the rotation of the presidency between the North and the South.
Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Mr Ugochinyere emphasized the need to address various agitations across the country, streamline governance structures, and reduce the cost of governance.
The proposed alterations also include the creation of a second vice president, with one vice president designated as a successor and the other overseeing the economy.
Furthermore, the lawmakers are advocating for the recognition of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with provisions for the rotation of executive powers among these zones to ensure equitable representation and curb agitation for state creation.
In addition to these constitutional amendments, the caucus is pushing for stringent laws enforcing the financial autonomy of states, particularly in relation to local government councils. They propose measures to safeguard local government funds and impose severe penalties for any misuse.
On the electoral front, the Reformers Caucus is championing comprehensive reforms to the electoral process. They aim to synchronize all elections to be held on the same day, ensuring efficiency and fairness.
Additionally, they seek to hold INEC officials accountable by introducing penalties for declaring false election results and expediting the resolution of election-related litigations.
While the proposals signify a bold step towards political and electoral reform, their fate rests on the support garnered both within the parliament and among the state legislatures.
Constitutional alterations necessitate widespread consensus, requiring approval from both houses of the federal lawmakers and a majority of the state lawmakers across Nigeria’s 36 states.
With over 35 lawmakers backing the Reformers Caucus, the initiatives demonstrate a concerted effort to address longstanding distortions and deficiencies in Nigeria’s governance and electoral systems.
As these proposals make their way through the legislative process, they have the potential to shape the future trajectory of the nation’s political landscape.