NANS Opposes Six-Year Single Term Bill for President and Governors

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly opposed the proposed bill seeking a single six-year term for the President and state governors, labeling it “anti-democracy and an attempt to stifle people’s choice.”

On Monday, 35 members of the House of Representatives, under the banner of Reformed-minded Legislators, proposed the bill, which also advocates for rotating the presidency among the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

The legislators argue that this measure would reduce the cost of governance.

In response, NANS held a press conference on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, calling on Nigerians, pro-democracy groups, organized labor, and trade unions to mobilize against the bill.

Yekini Adewale, National Clerk of the Senate of NANS, described the bill as “a smokescreen” intended to divert attention from the economic hardships Nigerians are facing.

The student body threatened to mobilize nationwide protests against the bill.

Adewale argued that the bill, if passed, would undermine accountability, transparency, and responsibility among political leaders.

“Democracy thrives on the synergy between the three arms of government, but when the legislature proposes bills that stifle people’s choices or undermine democratic principles, it is disheartening and must not be allowed,” Adewale stated.

NANS condemned the proposed bill, urging Nigerians to resist what they perceive as a selfish agenda by unscrupulous politicians.

Adewale warned that eliminating the possibility of a second term would encourage leaders to focus on personal gain rather than good governance.

“Removing the second term from our constitution would effectively extinguish the electorate’s power to vote out underperforming presidents or governors,” he said.

“As a student body, we will mobilize our members massively against this bill that seeks to erase accountability, probity, transparency, and responsibility from elected officials.”

To further demonstrate their rejection of the bill, NANS plans to organize a mass march against the National Assembly.

“We will set aside a day for Nigerian students to embark on a mass protest against these anti-democracy, anti-people, and anti-progress bills,” Adewale declared.