- The lawmakers are also proposing an amendment to the Constitution to create two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of Nigeria
A clutch of lawmakers in Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber are pushing for significant alterations to the 1999 Constitution which will herald a major change in the makeup of the Nigerian presidency.
The House of Representatives members, 35 in number and known as Reformers, are proposing the introduction of a six-year single tenure for the President and the governors, saying such amendment would engender fairness and equity in the country.
The lawmakers are also proposing an amendment to the Constitution to create two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of Nigeria.
One other major legislative agitation by the group is the rotation of the Presidency between the six geopolitical zones and holding of all elections on the same day.
Briefing the journalists on Monday at the National Assembly, the lawmakers, led by Ikenga Ugochinyere said they have produced 50 proposed alterations, adding that six of the bills have been listed on the floor of the House.
“Constitutional Amendment to provide that the President and the 1st Vice President shall come from the same part of the country (north or south) and the 1st Vice President shall become President whenever the President becomes incapacitated, i.e., V.P. (Succession), V.P. (Administration and Economy),” Ugochinyere said.
Ugochinyere said the Constitution of the country had shown a huge gap that must be addressed