Bill proposing rotational presidency among six geopolitial zones fail in Reps

Bill proposing rotational presidency during a democratic regime among the six geographical parts of the country was rejected in the House of Representatives on Tuesday during a legislative debate.

The bill which was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu was rejected on grounds that the current constitutional principle of federal character sufficiently covered the concerns it aimed to address.

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Kalu aimed to achieve the aim through the Constitutional amendment that is ongoing in the House of Representatives and the Senate in which he is the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee.

In the general principles of the Bill, Kalu explained that it will be fair, justiciable and equitable for the Offices of the President and the Vice President to rotate among the six geographical parts of the country.

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The title, “Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Principle of Rotation of the Offices of the President and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria among the Six Geopolitical Zones of the Country, Namely: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West and for Related Matters (HB. 2291)”, which was for second reading would have altered the Constitution and inserted as provisions as part of the amendment.

It was one of seven constitutional amendment proposals scheduled for a second reading on the House Order Paper today.

Though the Deputy Speaker presided over plenary on Tuesday in the House of Representatives, he urged lawmakers to share their views, hence, the bill was thrown open for lawmakers for a debate.

Hon. Aliyu Madaki, NNPP from Kano stoutly opposed the proposal, citing sufficient provisions in the Act of parliament establishing the Federal Character, and stated that rotational presidency should be left for individual political party to decide.

Hon Sada Soli from Katsina was quick to oppose the Bill, arguing that if the rotational presidency is constitutionalized, it would be detrimental to the unity of the country and entrenched mediocrity above competence.

He said: “It could play up regional and ethnic interests over competency. It will encourage limited choice of people that can vie for office and it will encourage regional rivalry which negates the spirit of unity,” Soli said.

In his contribution, Hon. Ali Isah, PDP, from Gombe State in the North East supported the proposal, stressing that it would promote fairness and inclusivity.

The Speaker reacting to Soji’s position disagreed, saying there is no geographical part of the country that doesn’t have qualified and capable people to be president of this country

Kalu insisted that the bill’s purpose is to guarantee that all regions of the country can participate in governance and national development. Rep Shina Oyedeji expressed his opposition to the bill, arguing that the core of democracy lies in healthy competition.

After contributions by lawmakers with different opinions, the bill was put to voice vote

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