By Clifford Ndujihe, Dayo Johnson, John Alechenu, Omeiza Ajayi, Rotimi Ojomoyela, Shina Abubakar, Laolu Elijah & Deola Badru
DO we actually want rotational presidency? As an alternative of rotation, why not go for the very best candidate regardless of his tribe, tongue or zone? Is there advantage in a single time period of 5 or extra years? Will single tenure presidency enhance efficiency of the president to the betterment of the nation? Will rotational president actually guarantee political stability within the nation? These have been a number of the questions that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for a six-year single-tenure rotational presidency among the many six geo-political zones of the nation evoked within the polity, weekend.
In response to the decision of the Nationwide Meeting for inputs in its ongoing transfer to evaluation the 1999 Structure as amended, Atiku Abubakar, a former vice chairman, and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic occasion, Occasion, PDP, stated the workplace of the president ought to rotate among the many six geopolitical zones of the Federation on a single time period of six years flowing between the North and South. Dated August 30 however obtained final Thursday, Atiku’s proposal was addressed to the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on Structure Overview, Senator Barau Jibrin. Particularly, Atiku proposed that Part 135(2) needs to be amended to learn: “Topic to the provisions of the subsection (1), the President shall vacate his workplace on the expiration of a interval of six years commencing from the date of swearing-in.” He additionally made ideas on electoral reforms, {qualifications} for Presidential candidates and strengthening the political events.
Harmonization of previous ideas
Atiku’s energy rotation. proposal seems to be a concord of previous ideas and proposals on rotational presidency within the final 30 years. The primary time rotational presidency was steered was on the 1994 Nationwide Convention, the place delegates really useful rotation of the presidency between the North and South. The Confab broke the nation into six geo-political zones, which might function the premise for rotating Presidential energy. It was silent on single time period. In 2011, then President Goodluck Jonathan, a southerner, who succeeded late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who hailed from the North, canvassed a seven-year single-term presidency to scale back election-related violence and stress elevating from incumbents looking for for a re-election. The proposal was thumbed down for being able to growing corruption, decreasing accountability, and lowering incentives for leaders to carry out properly as a result of they won’t face the repercussions of being rejected on the poll. Rapid previous Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, additionally canvassed a seven 12 months single-term rotational presidency. His causes embrace: selling equity and fairness; making certain focus on governance, decreasing stress and avoiding distractions that looking for reelection trigger incumbents, which he argued, have an effect on governance.
The 2014 Nationwide Convention really useful rotation of the presidency amongst thee six zones to advertise political stability and making certain that every one zones have a way of belonging and participation in authorities. It didn’t suggest a single time period like Jonathan, Osinbajo and Atiku
Nigeria wants restructuring, credible electoral course of— Okorie
Talking of Atiku’s proposal, the founding Nationwide Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Chekwas Okorie, stated what Nigeria wants now’s restructuring not a single six-year time period for the chief. Nothing that the proposal for a six-year single time period was not new and that lots has modified for the more serious after it was first proposed about three a long time in the past, Okorie stated the late Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, canvassed the identical throughout the Nationwide Convention convened by the late Head of State, Normal Sani Abacha, in1994. Okorie stated: “Whereas I can’t disagree completely with the only six-year tenure proposal, I’ll fairly counsel we restructure this nation to present each citizen a way of belonging.
“What we want now’s for us to have a reputable electoral course of, which is technologically based mostly and that the votes of the individuals should depend, not what we have now for the time being. “You’ll be able to recall that Alex Ekwueme steered the six years single time period throughout the nationwide convention organized by Normal (Sani) Abacha round 1994. “If we had agreed and applied it, the presidency would have rotated among the many six geo-political zones and after 36 years, every zone would have produced a president and doubtless the worry that one zone needs to dominate and make others second class residents would have disappeared. “Even on the final nationwide convention organised by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014, suggestions have been made by consensus. The truth is consensus was reached on 660 distinct points sadly, the president lacked the braveness to implement them. “We must always now have a construction that can make the presidency much less engaging. The state of California in the US of America is the richest economically however there has by no means been an agitation by its residents to go away the union as a result of the US system works.”
Proposal is novel —Adewale
A Political Analyst and former Ondo State Chairman of the Social Democratic Occasion, SDP, Hon Stephen Adewale, stated: “It needs to be famous that Atiku’s proposition is novel. “ The idea of a six 12 months single time period has been round for some time. It’s a constructive growth. Expertise since 1999 has confirmed that our elected representatives all the time have two years to serve the individuals earlier than spending the opposite two years planning for reelection.
“Those that have been reelected, since they haven’t any workplace to run for, spend their second time period on frivolities. A single time period will undoubtedly make politicians serve the individuals and the nation higher.”Nevertheless, right here is the query that begs for solutions. What is going to a single six-year time period accomplish? Why six years as a substitute of something like 5? I imagine 5 years is significantly better and extra affordable. “Take into account our college system; at one level, the federal authorities felt that politicking was ruining it.
Because of this, the tenure of Vice Chancellors was restricted to a single time period of 5 years, which restored some sanity to the college system. If correctly deliberate and applied, a single five-year time period may very well be the tonic our political system wants.
“I additionally agree that it’s excessive time steps are taken to strengthen our electoral legal guidelines; nonetheless, our electoral legal guidelines have been amended a number of instances over time. “When it comes to electoral laws, we’re now not in the identical place as in 1999. Because of this, there are not any gaps in our electoral regulation. What we lack is the independence of the companies established to supervise our elections. “If Alhaji Atiku’s place means precise autonomy for the election umpire, with the construction of INEC and state electoral organisations absolutely faraway from political interference, then such a suggestion is a constructive growth.
It’ll create a way of belonging, take away entitlement
To Kennedy Peretei, Publicity Secretary of Ondo State PDP, “rotational presidency will give a way of belonging to all Nigerians and remove the sense of entitlement prided by a bit of the nation. One time period of six years can also be not a nasty concept within the face of non – performing leaders who the individuals should endure for eight years amid wasteful second time period elections.”
Proposal not new — Ogunsiyi
Reacting, Former Commissioner for Data and Civic Orientation and public analyst, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, stated that Atiku Abubakar’s proposal “is now not new, what is critical is the medium. “ Nevertheless, it’s really a welcome addition to the opposite amendments being proposed. Election in Nigeria is akin to warfare with attendant conflicts, violence, and different manipulations that result in demise of voters, ballot staff, and even demise of the democratic course of itself. “The rotational one time period Presidency will cut back election-related stress in addition to electoral malpractices and possibly corruption and price of elections”
Atiku’s initiative is daring — Hassan
Additionally talking, President of Yoruba Council Worldwide, Barr. Oladutun Hassan, stated: “I commend Atiku Abubakar for his daring initiative in proposing a rotational presidency and a six-year single tenure. “This method might considerably improve nationwide unity and make sure that all areas of Nigeria really feel represented in our governance. The idea of rotational presidency has the potential to deal with historic grievances and foster a spirit of inclusiveness, which is crucial in our various nation.”
Atiku’s 6yr single time period, not new — Duru On his half, Former member of the Home of Representatives, Nze Chidi Duru, described Atiku’s proposal as an fascinating growth, notng former Vice President Alex Ekwueme had made the identical proposal in his life time. Duru, who’s the Deputy Nationwide Organizing Sectary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, nevertheless,spoke on his private capability. He stated: “Very fascinating. Late Alex Ekwueme had earlier steered this. It’s welcome as are different views.
“Nevertheless, whereas the concept of a six-year tenure is price exploring, we have to be cautious. It is very important contemplate the implications of such a proposal on accountability and the democratic course of. “A six-year time period might result in an absence of responsiveness to the citizens, as there could also be fewer incentives for leaders to behave in the very best pursuits of their constituents when they’re assured an extended tenure with out the instant strain of re-election. “We should make sure that strong mechanisms for checks and balances are in place to forestall potential abuses of energy and to keep up a wholesome relationship between the federal government and the ruled.
“Moreover, I wholeheartedly help the emphasis on strengthening our electoral legal guidelines. The integrity of our electoral course of is prime to the well being of our democracy. “We should make sure that our e l e c t o r a l processes are clear, credible, and free from manipulation. This is not going to solely improve p u b l i c confidence in o u r democracy but in addition encourage better participation from residents who really feel their votes really matter. “Moreover, the proposal to determine academic {qualifications} for political workplace is an important consideration. Our leaders should possess the requisite data, abilities, and moral grounding to manipulate successfully.
“By setting a typical for academic attainment, we are able to encourage a brand new technology of knowledgeable and succesful leaders who’re higher outfitted to deal with the complicated challenges dealing with our nation. “As these discussions progress, I urge all stakeholders, significantly throughout the Yoruba neighborhood, to have interaction actively on this dialogue. It’s essential that we advocate for a governance framework that displays our collective aspirations and promotes inclusivity. “Our voices have to be heard in shaping the way forward for Nigeria, making certain that each ethnic group feels valued and represented within the decision-making processes that have an effect on their lives. “ Whereas I respect the intent behind Atiku Abubakar’s proposal, it’s important that we method these discussions with a essential thoughts and a dedication to enhancing our democratic processes. Collectively, we are able to work in direction of a Nigeria that’s really consultant and conscious of the wants of all its residents.”
Proposal’ll curb graft — Salewon
A Notary Public, Mr Bamidele Corwell Salewon, stated if allowed a single-term presidency “will curb corruption and can cease this do-or-die politics. For instance, if you recognize you’re going for just one time period, you’ll know you’re going there to work. “And whether it is made rotational, you’ll not need your area to fail. It is not going to be the case that when Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa man is there, he gained’t do properly. You’ll work very arduous. I believe it’s a good one and I’ll need the Nationwide Meeting to take a look at it critically. “since it is going to move via constitutional modification which is often not a one-day affair, it’s going to take a while. Since, it’s going to move via the mandatory modification, it will likely be after the top of the eight 12 months tenure of the South in order that it gained’t trigger confusion.”
We want good governance not time period limits — Fehintola
An Ibadan-based Authorized practitioner, Mr Adeola Fehintola, feels that it’s good governance that issues and never the size of tenure. “If the chief offers good governance, sixyear tenure is simply too quick; if he offers dangerous governance, six years is simply too lengthy. It’s good governance that’s the key factor right here and never the size of tenure or rotation.”