ESV Podar Yiljwan Johnson, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Plateau state chapter, has kicked against the proposed bill aimed at implementing a single six-year tenure for both presidents and governors.
Johnson argued that four years is more challenging because of the annual assessment of Nigerian leaders, and this will be difficult to carry out with a six-year term.
Recall that the House of Representatives had introduced a proposal to institute a single six-year tenure for both presidents and governors, alongside a plan to establish the positions of two vice presidents representing the southern and northern regions of Nigeria.
These legislative proposals, jointly sponsored by 35 House members, have passed the initial reading on the House floor.
Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a spokesperson for the group of lawmakers, emphasized that if enacted, the bills would optimise government expenditure.
Interestingly, following this move by Reps, Bola Ahmed Tinubu may become the first democratically elected Nigerian president in the 21st century to serve a single six-year tenure.
In an exclusive phone interview with TimesNow.com.ng on Wednesday, June 20, Comrade Podar Johnson clarified that the single six-year tenure would hinder the performance and accountability of the leaders.
Buttressing his point, he noted that the lawmakers are indirectly seeking a six-year term to secure themselves a seat, adding that Nigerians will reject the proposal.
The former APC aspirant, however, maintained that the bill was a “death proposal on arrival”.
The APC chieftain stated thus:
In a related piece, TimesNow.com.ng reported that President Bola Tinubu had received a draft bill seeking a return to a regional system of government for Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, authored by a chieftain of the Yoruba socio-cultural association, Afenifere, Akin Fapohunda, seeks to introduce new laws referred to as âThe Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.â
The Green Chamber spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, said the bill had yet to be scheduled for deliberation.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at TimesNow.com.ng.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
