The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, berated the House of Representatives for rejecting the bill proposing a six-year single term for the President and governors.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, and 33 others, was rejected on Thursday in a voice vote by the lawmakers at plenary.
Atiku had in October last year sent a letter to the National Assembly, requesting a constitutional amendment to establish a six-year single term for the President and state governors.
In response to the House of Representatives’ rejection of the proposal, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, told newsmen in an interview on Thursday that the lawmakers failed to recognise that Nigeria is at a crossroads.
He stated, “It is sad. It is clear that they don’t understand that Nigeria is currently at a crossroads.
“I would have expected that this proposed amendment would have passed to strengthen the polity and ensure that whoever is elected for a six-year single term would be able to focus on it, without being encumbered by the rush to seek a second term. This would allow the person to focus on governance and not be distracted by politics and all the associated activities.
“So, it is sad that it was rejected, and we need to ensure that the laws we make promote the well-being of Nigerians and strengthen democracy in both word and deed. That is what this law was meant to do. Unfortunately, the House did not see this. It is unfortunate, and we hope that it is revisited, so they can realise that they have made a mistake.”
Peoplesmind
