The House of Representatives recently rejected a constitutional amendment bill seeking to rotate the offices of the president and vice president among the six geopolitics zones. The Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu. It provides for the principle of rotation of the offices of the president and vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria among the six geo-political zones of the country namely: North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-South, and South-West and related matters. The bill was one of seven proposed constitutional amendments listed for consideration during the plenary session. We urge the lawmakers to revisit the bill and give it urgent attention considering its benefits for our federation.
We believe that the advocates of the rotational presidency bill have genuine and patriotic reasons. They want every geo-political zone to have a taste of the presidency for the sake of equity and fairness. The current zoning of the presidency between the North and South is nebulous and has no force of law. A new power rotation arrangement among the six geo-political zones and backed by the constitution will be the best for the country.
This is not the first time the issue would be coming up at the National Assembly. In the 9th Assembly, a bill in that respect sponsored by Senator Patrick Abba Moro (PDP Benue South), was stepped down on procedural ground. The sponsor had maintained that it would not only promote the principles of equity, fairness and justice among the geographical divides but also ensure sense of belonging required for nationhood of a heterogeneous country like Nigeria. He added that a law on power rotation would help lessen the squabble for power, particularly, the presidency across the six geo-political zones and promote unity in the country.
The rotation of political offices at the federal, state and local government levels was one of the key recommendations of the National Political Reforms Conference (NPRC) of 2005. The demand, especially for the rotation of the presidency, has been at the crux of agitations by ethnic groups and regions in the country, raising allegations of marginalisation. In this regard, the apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, had through its Elders Council recommended that for equity, justice and fairness, rotating the country’s presidency among the six geo-political zones be made constitutional. According to the Council, limiting the zoning of the country’s presidency on the convenient agreement by political parties to the North and South, is vague and should therefore be discouraged. Other ethnic groups in the country have made similar recommendation.
The current arrangement where rotation of power operates informally at party level is arbitrary and has proven to be open to abuse. Considering the complexities of Nigeria’s politics, certain ethnic groups may not easily attain the office without a constitutional arrangement that gives them the assurance.
Making rotation of power constitutional guarantees each of the six geo-political zones the opportunity to occupy the office at its time. Such an arrangement would lessen the competition that currently exists among the rival groups in the country and save cost. It will also enable the particular region whose turn it is to produce the president to present its best candidate for the office.
No doubt, the rotation of power will bring out the best in each of the component parts and allows each zone have a say in the running of the country. Zoning the presidency among the six geo-political zones will address the rising restiveness and secession agitation in some parts of the country. It will also reinforce the federal character principle which ensures each region being carried along in distribution of key offices.
The rotation of the presidency among the zones is the best for the country. It is democratic, inclusive, just and fair. It is also good for our diversity. Furthermore, it will give every zone a sense of belonging. Rotation of the presidency and other relevant positions is an agenda that cannot be wished away. Let the lawmakers revisit the bill and accord it the urgency it requires. Rotation of key political offices among the six geo-political zones will strengthen our unity and democracy.