Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has proposed a single six-year tenure and a rotational presidency for Nigeria, aiming to enhance democratic governance in the country. In a letter directed to the National Assembly, he urged legislators to initiate constitutional amendments to implement these changes.
Addressed to Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Atiku’s letter is dated August 30, 2024. His Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, explained that the recommendations are part of efforts to promote constitutional democracy, especially as the National Assembly revises the 1999 Constitution.
Ibe emphasized that the proposed amendments would raise the educational qualifications for political office seekers and help end violent takeovers within political parties. He argued that these changes would strengthen the internal structures of political parties and mitigate tendencies to breach the constitution and electoral laws.
“Such indiscipline by political parties and infidelity to the electoral parameters yield chaos in the system,” Ibe stated. He asserted that instituting these amendments would foster the discipline necessary for a functioning democracy.