Politics

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

Published

3 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

Tunisia: Presidential contender Zammel remains in detention despite being legally discharged

Published

1 day ago

September 6, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

After being arrested on Monday, and his release ordered by a judge on Thursday, Tunisian presidential contender, Ayachi Zammel, remained in custody as of Friday, his campaign staff reported.

Zammel is one of three candidates approved by Tunisia’s electoral commission for an Oct. 6 presidential election that opposition sources allege is rigged for President Kais Saied.

Authorities accuse him of electoral irregularities.

He was reportedly released from police custody for the first time before being re-arrested. But he remained in prison Friday, his campaign staff told Reuters. Mahadi Abdel Jawed: “Zammel was arrested minutes after his release last night.”

For next month’s election, he’s accused of fraudulent voter forms. All candidates must submit 10,000 supporter forms to run. He denies accusations.

Zammel says he is restricted and intimidated since he is a serious Saied competitor. He promises democracy, liberties, and economic recovery for Tunisia.

Saied was democratically elected in 2019, but he took power by fiat in 2021, which the opposition called a coup.

Major political forces argue that Saied’s rule has damaged Tunisia’s 2011 revolution’s democratic accomplishments.

Human rights groups and opposition parties have accused the government of employing arbitrary limitations to re-elect Saied.

Presidential elections in Tunisia are scheduled for October 6, 2024. These are the first presidential elections since President Kais Saied’s 2021 coup attempt.

Politics

Burundi launches much-awaited demographic census

Published

3 days ago

September 4, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Burundi’s National Census of the Population, Housing, Agriculture, and Livestock has begun as President Evariste Ndayishimiye urged citizens to provide accurate information to aid in project development.

The president of state urged Burundians and foreigners living in Burundi to be counted and to be truthful with information.

“Everyone must know that this census is important for the country and the population. Based on this census, we will be able to get the right state of the country, and its economic situation, and enable us to make good project plans, because it is difficult to plan for the future without knowing the current situation. I call on residents of Burundi to respond truthfully and honestly in the questionnaire because wrong information may hinder project planning,” the President said.

Census personnel, supervised by the president of the Central Bureau of the Census, Nicolas Ndayishimiye, registered President Ndayishimiye and his family at their home on Mt Vugizo in Bujumbura’s Kiriri Quarter.

Vice-President Prosper Bazombanza and his family also participated in the exercise on Monday, and he echoed the President’s message, adding that accurate data would aid in the design of education and other social services.

However, this year’s count has presented complications, with enumerators reporting difficulty locating certain residents due to abandoned homesteads.

The agents are also dealing with travel and accommodation issues as a result of delays in the disbursement of their allowances, and many have had to walk great distances during the day to reach residential neighbourhoods.

In a news briefing last week, Central Bureau of Census Director Nicolas Ndayishimiye stated that the government has set aside BIF66 billion ($22.85 million) to fund the activities, with the World Bank pledging an additional $6.5 million.

Burundi’s last population and housing census was done in 2008. The ongoing exercise is scheduled to end on September 15.

Since its independence in 1962, Burundi has undertaken three censuses: in 1979, 1990, and 2008. The country now has five provinces: Gitega, the political capital; Bujumbura, the economic capital; and Butanyera, Buhumuza, and Burunga.