Politics

Nigeria: Lawmakers propose rotational presidency, 6-year single term

Published

5 months ago

June 11, 2024

On Monday, thirty-five members of Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber, the House of Representatives, introduced a bill that would limit the terms of the President and state governors to six years each.

The measure also addresses the rotation of the presidency among the country’s six geopolitical zones— the North Central also known as the Middle Belt, the South East, the North East, North West, South West, and the South-South.

The MPs asserted that the plan would reduce government spending under the banner of Reformed-minded Legislators. The group’s spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, further asserted that the action will ensure a seamless transition and unmatched progress for the nation while also uniting the country at a news conference held on Monday at the National Assembly Complex.

As Ugochinyere put it, “We should not be afraid to meet and discuss our problems, challenges, fears, aspirations, and prospects as a people,” he underscored the importance of critically examining the difficulties the Nigerian state faces. We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it or to talk about it at all.

“On governance, we are proposing a constitutional alteration to provide for the rotation of executive powers among the six geopolitical zones to ensure equal representation and reduce the desperation and tempo of agitation for the creation of states,” Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/Idaeto South Federal Constituency of Imo State on the Peoples Democratic Party platform, said in response to a question about the bill. To recognize Nigeria’s separation into six geopolitical zones, we propose amending Section 3 of the constitution.

“And also, to amend the constitution to provide for a single tenure of six years for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the state governors. This will bring about a reduction in government spending and wastage; promote efficiency in governance, and national stability by providing a single term of six years for the President and the governors.”

Ugochinyere states that the Second Vice President will supervise the economy as a minister and the First Vice President will serve as vice president in succession. “A constitutional amendment to provide that the President and the First Vice President shall come from the same part of the country (North or South) and the First Vice President shall become President whenever the President becomes incapacitated,” he said, adding that the 35 lawmakers were also pushing for this change.

By establishing an independent Consolidated Local Government Council Account that is only overseen by Local Councils, the measure also aims to provide local government councils more financial autonomy and responsibility. For any misappropriation of local government funds, it calls for lengthy prison sentences.

“We are seeking an amendment to Section 162(5) of the 1999 Constitution to provide that where a state government fails to remit to the local government councils within its jurisdiction (or within the state), the amounts standing to the credit of that local government in the allocation from the Federation Account, such state government shall not be entitled to receive a future allocation from the Federal Government,” Ugochinyere added.

Discussion around terms structure around elective political officers is not new in Nigeria, in 2011 An executive bill sponsored by former president Goodluck Jonathan also proposed year terms but the bill did not scale at parliament.

Related Topics:#Presidency 6-year term Featured Nigeria

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Politics

Ghana’s Supreme Court reinstates ruling party’s majority

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The ruling New Patriotic Party regained its majority in the legislature ahead of the Dec. 7 election after Ghana’s Supreme Court declared on Tuesday that the speaker of parliament’s declaration of four seats as vacant was illegal.

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the leader of the NPP caucus, petitioned the supreme court of the West African nation to reverse Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision.

Bagbin had said that one member of the National Democratic Congress and two members of the NPP had resigned their seats when they registered to run as independents.

Another lawmaker with an NPP leaning filed as an NPP candidate to run for office.

Due to Bagbin’s decision, the NDC now holds 136 members in parliament, compared to the 135 held by the NPP, the party of outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The approval of Supreme Court nominees, loans, and bill enactments, as well as the presentation of a provisional budget for the first quarter of 2025, were all delayed by the indefinite postponement of two further parliamentary sessions.

In a televised decision, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo declared that Afenyo-Markin’s appeal was successful by a majority vote of 5:2. She noted that the court will later submit the rationale for its ruling.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the decision permitted the parliament to return to its regular activities. Among other things, it is anticipated to approve a $250 million World Bank loan intended to support the financial industry and give corporations tax breaks.

A request for comment from Bagbin’s representative was not answered.

Although some observers predict a hotly contested election, opinion surveys suggest that primary opposition leader John Dramani Mahama will likely defeat NPP contender and incumbent Vice President Muhamudu Bawumia in next month’s election.

Politics

Senegal: PM Sonko urges followers to avenge campaign violence

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has advised Pastef party followers to exact retribution for claimed violence against them during the Sunday parliamentary election campaign.

Before a presidential election in March in some of the greatest disturbances in Senegal’s history, supporters of the prime minister, also president of Pastef, battled with police. Since Sonko’s ally, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, won the vote, the nation has remained peaceful. He defeated then-president Macky Sall handily.

However, reports of periodic conflicts between various party supporters have surfaced recently as the nation gets ready for a legislative contest that will finally determine how much Faye and Sonko will be able to carry out their agenda.

Sonko claimed in a social media post attacks against Pastef supporters in the capital Dakar and other towns since campaigning began.

“May each patriot they have attacked and injured, be proportionally avenged. We will exercise our legitimate right to respond,” he wrote.

The text accompanied a photo of a young man showing a gashing wound on his forearm.

The first week of campaigning saw an increase in violence reported by a local civil society group involving conflicts between supporters in central Senegal and the burning of an opposition party headquarters in Dakar.

Calling for calm, the interior ministry said on Monday it had been notified of acts of violence and sabotage against party caravans and other campaign activity.

In order to stop damage, rights defender Alioune Tine asked politicians to exhibit “moderation and wisdom” in their speech and requested the interior ministry to invite various party representatives to meet.

“The verbal escalation has reached a critical threshold, we have the impression of going to war,” Tine posted on X.

Pastef is up against former ruling parties that have united ex-presidents Sall and Abdoulaye Wade into a coalition.

Dissolving the opposition-led national assembly in September, Faye accused legislators of not participating in substantive budget and other proposal debates.