By Emmanuel Kwada
The House of Representatives has rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a rotational presidency in Nigeria, while also passing a controversial bill stripping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its authority to register political parties.
This rejection is a missed opportunity to foster inclusivity
The decisions, made during a heated plenary session on Tuesday, have sparked widespread debate and raised concerns about the future of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The rotational presidency proposal, which sought to enshrine a system ensuring the presidency alternates between Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, was rejected by a significant majority of lawmakers. Proponents argued that such a system would promote national unity and address longstanding regional imbalances in political power.
However, opponents, primarily from northern constituencies, contended that it would undermine merit-based leadership and entrench divisive regionalism.
Hon. Chidi Okoye, a vocal supporter of the rotational presidency, expressed disappointment, stating, “This rejection is a missed opportunity to foster inclusivity. Nigeria’s diversity demands deliberate mechanisms to ensure no region feels marginalized.” Conversely, Hon. Aisha Ibrahim, who led opposition to the bill, hailed the decision, arguing, “Leadership should be about competence, not quotas. Nigerians want results, not regional turn-by-turn.”
In an equally contentious move, the House passed an amendment transferring the power to register political parties from INEC to a yet-to-be-established National Political Parties Registration Commission (NPPRC).
Leadership should be about competence, not quotas. Nigerians want results, not regional turn-by-turn
Lawmakers supporting the bill claimed that INEC’s current responsibilities, including election management and voter registration, overburden the commission, compromising its efficiency. The new commission, they argue, would streamline party registration and ensure stricter compliance with electoral laws.
The amendments are part of a broader constitutional review process aimed at addressing Nigeria’s governance challenges. The rejection of the rotational presidency and the creation of the NPPRC now await Senate concurrence and presidential assent to become law.
Creating a new body risks opening the door to manipulation. INEC, despite its flaws, has institutional independence
However, both decisions have already ignited public discourse, with civil society groups and political stakeholders calling for transparency and broader consultations.
The Nigeria Civil Society Forum (NCSF) issued a statement urging the Senate to “tread cautiously” and prioritize the will of Nigerians. “These amendments touch the core of our democracy. The Senate must ensure that any changes reflect the aspirations of the people, not the interests of a few,” the statement read.
