The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) vehemently opposed the proposed bill advocating for a single term of six years for both the President and state governors, denouncing it as “anti-democratic” and an affront to citizens’ rights to choose their leaders. This bill, proposed by 35 members of the House of Representatives under the banner of Reformed-minded Legislators, also includes a provision for the rotational presidency among the country’s six geopolitical zones, purportedly aimed at reducing governance costs.
In response, NANS urged Nigerians, pro-democracy groups, organized labor, and trade unions to unite against the bill, calling it a diversionary tactic from the nation’s current economic challenges. Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the National Clerk of the Senate of NANS, Yekini Adewale, condemned the bill as a threat to democratic principles and pledged to mobilize students nationwide in protest.
Adewale argued that if enacted, the bill would undermine accountability, transparency, and responsibility among political leaders, as it eliminates the prospect of reelection, thus diminishing the incentive for effective governance. He stressed the importance of the electorate’s power to vote out non-performing leaders, cautioning that removing the possibility of a second term would erode this crucial democratic mechanism.
Emphasizing NANS’ commitment to defending democracy, Adewale announced plans for a mass march against the National Assembly to reject what he termed as “anti-democracy, anti-people, and anti-progress” bills. He underscored the student body’s determination to safeguard democratic values and ensure government accountability for the betterment of Nigeria.
