Atiku Writes NASS, Seeks Six-year Term For President

Abuja, Nigeria – Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has submitted a memorandum to the National Assembly seeking constitutional amendments, including the introduction of a six-year single term for the President and state governors.

In his memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also proposed the rotation of the presidency between the North and South of Nigeria. He emphasized that this rotation should be among the country’s six geopolitical zones, ensuring balanced leadership across regions.

Atiku highlighted the importance of this proposal by referencing a similar call made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his administration. According to Atiku, adopting a single six-year term for the presidency and governorships would foster better governance and stability by allowing leaders to focus on national development rather than re-election campaigns.

Key Amendments Proposed by Atiku Abubakar:

1. Six-Year Single Term for the Presidency
   Atiku requested an amendment to Section 135(2) of the Constitution to limit the President’s tenure to a single six-year term. He proposed the following revision:
   “Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years.”
   This amendment would also apply to state governors.
2. Rotation of the Presidency Between North and South
   Atiku advocated for the rotation of the presidency across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Under his proposal, the presidency would alternate between the North and South, with each zone having an opportunity to produce the President for a single six-year term.
3. Substitution of Aspirants with Voters
   The former Vice President suggested a change to Section 285(14)(a), replacing the term “aspirant” with “voter.” This would expand the scope for legal challenges by voters in electoral disputes.
4. Minimum Educational Qualification for Presidential Candidates
   Atiku proposed that the minimum educational qualification for anyone aspiring to be President or Governor be raised from the current Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to an Ordinary National Diploma (OND). His suggested amendment to Section 65(2)(a) reads:
   “He has been educated up to at least Ordinary National Diploma in any recognised academic institution.”
5. Mandatory Submission of Educational Certificates
   Another key amendment proposed by Atiku is to make it compulsory for all candidates to submit evidence of their educational qualifications to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He proposed that a clause be added to Section 65(2)(a)(i), stating:
   “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.”
6. Political Parties’ Role in Candidate Selection
   Atiku called for political parties to be given greater control in determining their candidates. 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.”

A Return to National Discourse

Atiku’s proposal follows his consistent advocacy for reforms in Nigeria’s political system, a cause he has championed even after his electoral defeat in the 2023 elections. The memorandum reignites the debate on tenure extension and rotational presidency, with many political observers anticipating a robust discussion in the National Assembly.

In light of these proposals, Atiku called on lawmakers to consider the long-term benefits of constitutional reform for Nigeria’s democratic process. He reiterated his belief that a six-year single term would reduce political tension, promote governance, and deepen national unity by ensuring that the presidency is accessible to all regions.

The proposed amendments are expected to spark significant debate in both chambers of the National Assembly, as Nigeria continues its journey toward political and constitutional reforms.