House of Representatives Rejects Rotational Presidency Bill Among Six Geo-Political Zones
The Nigerian House of Representatives has rejected a bill proposing rotational presidency among the country’s six geo-political zones. The decision was made during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Tuesday.
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Multiple Constitutional Amendment Bills Fail to Pass
Alongside the rotational presidency proposal, six other constitution amendment bills were rejected after failing to pass the second reading stage. The rejected bills included:
Key Rejected Bills
1. Political Party Regulation Transfer: A bill seeking to remove INEC’s powers to register and regulate political parties, transferring these functions to the Office of the Registrar General of Political Parties.
2. Rotational Presidency: The controversial bill proposing rotation of presidential and vice-presidential offices among Nigeria’s six geo-political zones: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West.
3. Local Government Auditors: Legislation to establish independent State Auditors-General for Local Governments and FCT Area Councils to strengthen fiscal oversight.
4. Federal High Court Reforms: Multiple bills concerning the Federal High Court, including proposals to increase the number of judges and expand the court’s jurisdiction.
5. Judicial Salaries: A bill to empower the National Judicial Council to fix judicial officers’ salaries in conjunction with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Legislative Process and Next Steps
The bills were initially voted on collectively, with lawmakers rejecting them en masse. However, following appeals by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, the bills may be reconsidered on Wednesday through separate voting procedures.
This development comes shortly after the House approved another significant bill to establish a Federal University in Badagry, demonstrating the legislature’s active engagement in constitutional and educational reforms.
Full credit to the original publisher: Information Nigeria