A bill aiming to institutionalize power rotation in the Nigerian constitution passed its first reading in the Senate on Wednesday.
Sponsored by Senator Abba Patrick Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial District and serving as the Senate Minority Leader, the bill is part of the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If enacted, the bill will ensure the rotation of power among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, senatorial zones, and federal constituencies for presidential, gubernatorial, and senatorial elections, respectively.
The proposed amendments seek to achieve the following:
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1.Presidential Rotation: The presidency would rotate among the six geopolitical zones, with each zone holding office for a maximum of two terms of four years each. This aims to promote inclusivity, participation, and representation in Nigeria’s democracy.
2. Governorship Rotation: The office of the governor in a state would rotate among the three senatorial zones within the state, ensuring the involvement of all state indigenes in the state’s development.
3. Senatorial Election Rotation: Senatorial elections would rotate among all federal constituencies within the senatorial zone, fostering inclusivity and social progress.
4. House of Representatives Membership Rotation: Membership in the House of Representatives would rotate among all local governments within the federal constituency, ensuring representation from all localities.
The bill stipulates that zones, senatorial districts, federal constituencies, and local governments that have previously held these positions would not be eligible to do so again until all other eligible units have had their turn.The bill aims to promote equitable representation and foster a sense of inclusion and participation in Nigeria’s political landscape.
