Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to establish a single six-year term for Nigeria’s presidency. Abubakar, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, also proposed that the presidency rotate among the country’s six geopolitical zones.

In a memorandum presented to the Senate’s ad hoc committee on constitutional review, Abubakar suggested modifications to sections 130(1), 135(2), and 137(1)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution.  He recommended adding a clause to Section 130(1) that states: “The office of the president shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the Federation on a single term of six years, alternating between the North and South.”

Additionally, he proposed amending Section 135(2) to specify that the presidential term would last six years from the date of taking office, and modifying Section 137(1)(b) to ensure that no individual can serve more than one term. Abubakar argued that these changes would rectify issues within Nigeria’s electoral system, reduce political party indiscipline, and bring necessary order to the democratic process. He emphasized that the reforms are aimed at fostering stability and discipline in an electoral framework often compromised by political irregularities.