The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly opposed a proposed bill advocating for a single six-year term for the President and state governors. The student body criticized the bill as “anti-democratic” and an attempt to undermine the people’s choice.
Last week, 35 members of the House of Representatives, known as the Reformed-minded Legislators, introduced the bill, which also includes rotating the presidency among the six geopolitical zones. They argued that these measures would lower governance costs.
In a press conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, NANS National Clerk of the Senate, Yekini Adewale, condemned the bill as a distraction from Nigeria’s current economic struggles. He warned that the bill’s passage would erode political accountability and transparency.
“NANS is committed to safeguarding our democracy. We urge Nigerians, pro-democracy groups, organized labor, and trade unions to rally against this bill,” Adewale stated. He emphasized that removing the possibility of a second term would encourage self-serving leadership and diminish the electorate’s power to remove underperforming officials.
NANS threatened to mobilize nationwide student protests if the bill progresses. Adewale announced plans for a mass march against the National Assembly to demonstrate their rejection of the bill.
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