Accountability Lab Nigeria Position on Six-year Tenure bill for the President, Governors, and Local Government Area Chairpersons.
Accountability Lab Nigeria, commends the House of Representatives and calls for the striking out of the 6-year tenure bill for the President, Governors, and Local Government Area Chairpersons.
On July 17, 2024, the House of Representatives passed a bill through its first reading that seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to establish a single 6-year term for the offices of the President, State Governors, and Local Government Areas Chairmen. This amendment aims to reduce the waste associated with periodic elections every four years. The bill seeks to alter Sections 7, 135, 137, 180, and 182(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). We would like to commend the House of Representatives for rejecting this bill on November 21, 2024.. This is a commendable step that underscores their commitment to upholding the principles of good governance and democracy. This decision aligns with the tenets of representative governance by preserving the opportunity for regular accountability through shorter election cycles, ensuring leaders remain responsive to the needs of their constituents.
In the same vein, we urge that this bill be rejected should it reach the Senate. This bill, which seeks to extend the tenure of elected officials (2 terms of six years reflects the mathematics of 3 tenures of 4 years), raises significant concerns about its implications for democratic principles and governance in our nation. We believe there are more pressing issues currently plaguing the country that need the urgent attention of the president, including insecurity, inflation, and human rights violations. Additionally, a number of intricate and related issues are brought up by this proposed amendment, which calls for close examination, critical thought, and deliberate discussion in order to completely comprehend the implications it may have for our country’s democracy. As citizens committed to upholding democratic values and accountability, we believe this bill undermines the foundational tenets of our electoral system and poses a threat to the progress Nigeria has made in democratic governance, considering numerous compelling reasons.
In countries like Zimbabwe, where President Robert Mugabe extended his tenure through constitutional amendments, there was a notable increase in governance issues and reduced public accountability. Frequent elections ensure that leaders remain responsive to the needs and concerns of their constituents. Extending the tenure period from four to six years reduces the frequency of elections. Studies have also shown that electoral turnout often drops in midterm or non-election years. Nigeria’s 2019 general elections saw a voter turnout of 35.6%, a drop from 44.9% in 2015. With extended tenures, we have fewer opportunities to influence the performance of our government and address concerns, leading to the diminishing of the regular accountability of elected officials to the electorate. The 6-year term doesn’t show there will be improvement in low voter turnout , an indication of voter apathy, particularly among youth.
Additionally, in several other African countries, extending presidential terms has been associated with democratic backsliding, thereby undermining good governance. Longer tenures can erode democratic norms, leading to weaker institutional checks and balances and reducing the overall accountability of elected officials. For example, in Burundi, President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to extend his term led to significant political unrest and decreased trust in democratic processes. A policy and practice brief by Accord reported that growing evidence of a democratic regression includes tenure extensions by some democratically elected leaders through the manipulation of constitutional amendments, intimidation of opposition parties, independent media organisations, and declarations of victory after flawed or controversial elections. Extended tenure periods can promote a culture of corruption and abuse of power. We must not compromise vital checks on power by allowing the extension of tenure periods. It is also very important to note that extending the tenure could lead to the entrenchment of power, making it more difficult to remove ineffective or unpopular leaders. This can stifle political competition and innovation, which are vital for democratic nations. According to a research report in 2022 by NOI Polls on political accountability and elections in Nigeria, this bill would suppress political innovation and competition, weaken democratic accountability, consolidate authority, and raise the possibility of electoral meddling and corruption. Prolonged periods under potentially ineffective leadership can have adverse economic and social impacts. Four-year terms allow for quicker correction, of course, if an administration’s policies are detrimental to the country’s well-being. Joseph Kabila’s extended presidency, from 2001 to 2019, has had significant socio-economic impacts. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s economic performance was affected by prolonged ineffective leadership.
According to the World Bank, GDP growth slowed from 8.6% in 2014 to 3.7% in 2018. The extended political instability contributed to worsening humanitarian conditions, with millions facing food insecurity and displacement, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Legislators have to focus on effective leadership that leads to economic prosperity, such as Singapore with a GDP growth of 7% on average since 1965, which can be celebrated and adopted as a hallmark of successful administrative policies under exemplary leadership. The four-year term is a well-established norm in many successful democracies around Africa, like Ghana, being a stable, democratic country with a history of successful political transitions. The 2016 elections in Ghana saw a peaceful transition of power from John Dramani Mahama (NDC) to Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP), reinforcing the nation’s democratic credentials. Senegal is another example of a stable democracy in Africa, with a history of peaceful transitions of power and respect for constitutional term limits. Since gaining independence in 1960, Senegal has maintained a record of peaceful transition of power, political stability, and democratic governance. Senegal’s adherence to democratic norms is reflected in its regularly transparent and competitive elections. The country’s political stability has attracted positive attention from international observers, reinforcing its image as a democratic leader in the region. It provides a balance between governance stability and democratic accountability. Deviating from this norm without strong justification could undermine Nigeria’s democratic credibility on the international stage.
We firmly believe that the passage of this bill would be a step backward for our democracy, and our concerns are not just theoretical. They are based on a careful examination of the possible outcomes of this legislation. This kind of risk is beyond our means. We therefore urge the Senate to rather focus on strengthening the Electoral Act and ensuring the independence and accountability of the Independent National Electoral Commission. This will enhance voter registration, increase voter participation in elections, and improve the process of selecting effective and responsible political officeholders, ultimately fostering good governance.
We pledge to continue to advocate in the best interest of Nigeria and its citizens.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Odeh Friday
Country Director