The House of Representatives has declined to move forward with a constitutional amendment bill that proposed rotating the offices of the President and Vice President among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The idea, which had generated widespread public debate even before coming to the floor of the House, was shut down after a lively discussion among lawmakers. Many members said while the aim of fairness and inclusion is commendable, locking rotational presidency into the Constitution could open up more problems than it solves.
Most lawmakers who opposed the bill said Nigeria must avoid laws that might deepen ethnic and regional divisions. Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki, was at the forefront of the opposition. He insisted that the Federal Character principle already takes care of fair representation across zones and warned against setting a “dangerous precedent.”
Sada Soli from Katsina echoed similar fears. He argued that while the rotation idea might sound fair on paper, it could harm meritocracy and fuel unhealthy regional rivalry. “Will we choose leaders just by where they come from, or by their ability to deliver?” he asked.
Others like Shina Oyedeji from Oyo took the debate further by questioning how rotation would work in practice. “If it’s the South-West’s turn, who decides whether it’s Ogun or Ekiti or Lagos?” he asked, highlighting the risk of fresh rounds of agitation, even within the zones themselves.
Still, not all lawmakers were against the bill. Some saw it as a bold attempt to heal long-standing wounds in the country. Minority Whip, Ali Isa, said zoning the presidency could ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of their origin, sees a path to the highest office. He even suggested taking the same principle to the state level, so that governorships also rotate between senatorial zones.
Clement Jimbo from Akwa Ibom added that the bill was an effort to correct injustices faced by minority groups, especially those who feel excluded from power.
The rotational presidency bill was just one of seven major constitutional amendment proposals listed for debate on Tuesday. None passed the second reading.
Other rejected bills included one that sought to remove the power to register political parties from INEC and transfer it to a new Registrar General of Political Parties. Another aimed to create a new Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State.
The House also turned down a bill that would have strengthened the office of State Auditors-General for Local Governments, which was meant to improve financial oversight and good governance at the grassroots.
