APC Chief Reacts To Tinubu Using 6 Years In Office As Bill Passes 1st Reading: “Dead On Arrival”

ESV Podar Yiljwan Johnson, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Plateau state chapter, has kicked against the proposed bill aimed at implementing a single six-year tenure for both presidents and governors.

Johnson argued that four years is more challenging because of the annual assessment of Nigerian leaders, and this will be difficult to carry out with a six-year term.

Recall that the House of Representatives had introduced a proposal to institute a single six-year tenure for both presidents and governors, alongside a plan to establish the positions of two vice presidents representing the southern and northern regions of Nigeria.

These legislative proposals, jointly sponsored by 35 House members, have passed the initial reading on the House floor.

Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a spokesperson for the group of lawmakers, emphasized that if enacted, the bills would optimise government expenditure.

Interestingly, following this move by Reps, Bola Ahmed Tinubu may become the first democratically elected Nigerian president in the 21st century to serve a single six-year tenure.

In an exclusive phone interview with Legit.ng on Wednesday, June 20, Comrade Podar Johnson clarified that the single six-year tenure would hinder the performance and accountability of the leaders.

Buttressing his point, he noted that the lawmakers are indirectly seeking a six-year term to secure themselves a seat, adding that Nigerians will reject the proposal.

The former APC aspirant, however, maintained that the bill was a “death proposal on arrival”.

The APC chieftain stated thus:
“The lawmakers should’ve known that the four years is more challenging because the president or the governor is very much aware that we will assess them after four years based on their track records, but a single six-year once a leader is elected whether he performs or not he is sure of completing his six year’s teams, so we are more comfortable with the four years interval technically the lawmakers are asking for six years but using the executives to secured their seat. but I’m sure Nigerians will reject that proposal in any town hall meeting so is a death proposal on arrival. Some of the lawmakers are doing the bidding of their godfathers, but Nigerians are wise and democratically educated.”