Abuja, May 15, 2025 – The Nigerian House of Representatives was engulfed in heated debate on May 13, 2025, as it decisively rejected a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to mandate the rotation of the presidency and vice presidency among the country’s six geopolitical zones. The contentious session, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, laid bare deep divisions among lawmakers over the proposal, which aimed to institutionalize equitable power-sharing but ultimately faltered at the second reading.
Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the bill proposed a constitutional framework to ensure the presidency rotates across the North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West zones. Proponents argued it would foster national unity and address long-standing regional grievances. However, opposition was fierce. Aliyu Madaki (NNPP, Kano) led the charge against the bill, asserting that the existing federal character principle already guarantees fair representation. “Zoning is a matter for political parties and voters, not the Constitution,” Madaki declared, warning that the amendment could set a dangerous precedent.
The plenary session saw tempers flare as lawmakers debated the bill’s implications. Six other constitutional amendment bills met a similar fate, underscoring the charged atmosphere. Critics argued that enshrining rotational presidency risked entrenching regionalism over merit, while supporters lamented the missed opportunity to codify inclusivity. The rejection was finalized by a majority vote, but not before spirited exchanges that kept the chamber on edge.
In a bid to salvage the process, the House resolved to revisit the bills individually on May 14, 2025, suspending its rules to allow further deliberation based on each proposal’s merits. The decision reflects a cautious optimism that some aspects of the rejected bills, including elements of the rotational presidency proposal, may yet find traction.
The rejection has sparked widespread discussion, with analysts noting its potential impact on Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. For now, the dream of a constitutionally mandated rotational presidency remains just that—a dream deferred in a session marked by passion, principle, and profound disagreement.
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