Nigeria Shifts Focus Away From Rotational Presidency, According To Tanko

Nigeria Shifts Focus Away From Rotational Presidency, According To Tanko

The spokesperson for the Peter Obi/Datti Baba-Ahmed Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 election, Alhaji Yunusa Tanko, emphasized that electoral reform should take precedence over the proposed single-term rotational presidency to enhance democracy.

Tanko, formerly the National Chairman of the defunct National Conscience Party, stressed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria that reforming the electoral process is crucial for ensuring credible leadership at all levels of government.

“Deepening democracy through credible leadership emergence should be a priority in the ongoing constitutional amendment process,” Tanko asserted. He suggested that discussions on issues like a single tenure of six years and rotational presidency should be deferred until after achieving a reformed electoral system.

“The focus should not be on tenure arrangements but on enhancing the electoral system’s integrity to foster credible elections,” Tanko stated, advocating for electoral reforms to precede discussions on tenure arrangements.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, supported the idea of a rotational presidency and a single six-year term for presidents and governors, although he cautioned against potential inconsistencies with democratic principles due to the rotational aspect.

Yerima, known for his activism, remarked, “While beneficial, the rotation should maintain democratic fairness. Those with majority support should lead, while others should await their turn.”

Recently, 35 members of the House of Representatives proposed a bill advocating for a single six-year term for both the President and state governors, coupled with rotating the presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The legislators, under the Reformed-minded Legislators group, highlighted anticipated benefits such as reduced governance costs, national unity, smooth power transitions, and enhanced national development.