The 34 House of Representatives members who sponsored the bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for a six-year single term for the president have resolved to reintroduce the bill.

Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday, following the bill’s rejection during plenary on Thursday.

“We are going to review this decision and find possible ways of reintroducing it after, following due legislative procedures,” said Mr Ugochinyere.

He added, “All I can tell Nigerians is that we will continue the advocacy and convince our colleagues to see reason with us.”

The bill sought the introduction of a six-year single term for the president, governors and local government chairmen.

The bill sought zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats and the holding of all elections in one day.

“If elections are held in one day, it will reduce cost and rigging,” the lawmaker argued. “If power rotates, it will help de-escalate political tensions, and a six-year single term will go a long way in helping elective leaders to focus on delivering their democratic mandate.”

However, Mr Ugochinyere said all hope was not lost on the bill, as more consultations would be conducted.

The lawmaker, who is the bill’s lead sponsor, said the decision on the floor of the House would not end agitation and hope, insisting that the objective behind the bill would be realised.

“The struggle to reform our constitutional democracy to be all-inclusive and provide an avenue for justice, equity and fairness has not been lost.

“The decision on the floor of the House yesterday (Thursday) not to allow the bill for six-year single tenure and all elections to hold in one day will not end the agitation,” he said.

Mr Ugochinyere described the bill’s rejection as a temporary setback that would not affect the campaign for an inclusive democratic process.

(NAN)