The proposed single-tenure rotating presidency in Nigeria has garnered support from Dr. Doyin Okupe, the former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, according to The Nation. He believes that this concept has great potential for a developing country such as Nigeria, but he cautions that the implementation of this idea should be measured and not rushed, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and planning.
In addition to advocating for the rotation of the presidency among Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, the bill in question, introduced by 35 members of the House of Representatives, aims to establish a single six-year term for the President and state governors. The idea is modeled after Mexico, which has a similar system in place.
Okupe emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution of today still has a lot of problems even after being amended multiple times. He made the point that rather than rushing through a reform process, tackling these problems calls for an all-encompassing and methodical approach. He voiced worries that a hastily proposed change might cause unanticipated issues and might not adequately address the fundamental issues with the current constitutional structure.
Considering the wider ramifications, Okupe underlined the need for careful consideration and inclusive discussion during the constitutional revision process. He emphasized that all changes, especially big ones like altering the president's term and rotation, should be carefully considered to make sure they advance the stability and democratic growth of the nation.
He said: “I don’t think we should do this kind of reform (constitutional amendment) in a haphazardly. There is so much that is wrong with the constitution we currently operate.