A proposed bill seeking to amend the Nigerian Constitution to establish a single six-year term for the offices of the President and state governors has been rejected by the House of Representatives.

The bill, sponsored by Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, also sought to recognize Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, mandate rotational leadership among these zones, and schedule all elections on a single day.

During its second reading on the House floor, the bill was met with overwhelming opposition, and the majority of lawmakers voted against it.

This is not the first time the House has dismissed similar proposals. In 2019, a similar bill introduced by John Dyegh from Benue State also failed to progress beyond the second reading. Dyegh’s version had additionally proposed six-year terms for members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, arguing it would enhance lawmakers’ experience and reduce election-related violence and costs.

The idea of a single term for political leaders has been a recurring topic in Nigeria’s political discourse.