Atiku Advocates for Rotational Presidency to Strengthen Nigeria's Democracy

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has proposed a series of constitutional reforms aimed at enhancing democratic governance in the country. Central to his proposal is the introduction of a rotational presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, each serving a single six-year term. This initiative, Atiku argues, would "advance the course of constitutional democracy in Nigeria" by ensuring equitable representation across the diverse regions.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Jibrin Barau, Atiku outlined his vision for these changes. He suggested amending Section 130 (1) of the 1999 Constitution to reflect this rotational presidency, stating, “The office of the President shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the Federation on a single term of six years flowing between the North and South.”

Additionally, Atiku called for raising the educational qualifications required for political office seekers, emphasizing the need for competent leadership. He believes that these amendments will not only prevent violent takeovers within political parties but also strengthen internal party democracy, thereby fostering a more stable and inclusive governance system.