Constitutional Amendment Atiku Proposes Rotational Presidency, 5-yr Single Tenure, Others

ABUJA- WITH the commencement of another phase of review of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has forwarded to the committee a recommendation that the office of the president rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the federation on a single term of six years, flowing between the north and south.

Atikus proposals, addressed to the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau Jibrin, and dated August 30, 2024, also contained recommendations that bordered on themes such as procedures for the educational qualification of candidates in elections, internal democracy in political parties and rotation of presidential position among the six geo-political zones of the country.

In the explanatory note covering the proposals, Atiku said the amendments sought in the review of the constitution were aimed at seeking to raise the standard of the educational qualification of political office seekers, and an end to violent takeover of political parties, thereby strengthening the internal structure of political parties.

Others are to reduce the tendencies of political parties to breach the constitution, the Electoral Act, rules and guidelines made thereunder, and the constitution of the political party.