On Tuesday, the House of Representatives in Nigeria (a group of people who help make laws for the country) rejected a bill during its second reading. The bill wanted to change the Constitution so that the jobs of the President and Vice President would take turns going around Nigeria’s six big zones, called geopolitical zones.
These zones are like big parts of the country. The idea behind the bill was to make sure every part of Nigeria gets a fair chance to have someone from their zone become President or Vice President.
But the lawmakers said “no” during the second reading of the bill. It was one of seven suggested changes to the Constitution that were turned down on the same day.
Why Did They Say No?
Some lawmakers said that the Federal Character Commission already works to make things fair across the country. They believe this new idea is not needed.
A lawmaker named Aliyu Madaki, who is the Deputy Minority Leader, said,
“This idea is already being handled. We don’t need to put it in the Constitution.”
Another lawmaker, Sada Soli from Katsina State, said the idea could make things worse. He worried it might lead to more fighting between different ethnic groups or zones and might even stop the country from getting the best leaders.
Also, Shina Peller Oyedeji from Oyo State asked a good question:
“If we agree to share the presidency by zones, and it comes to the South West, which state will get it? Ogun or Oyo?”
Bello El-Rufai, another lawmaker, added that the idea might even go against people’s rights to vote and be voted for. He warned that putting this in the Constitution could make some people feel left out or unfairly treated.
“There will always be people saying they are not being treated fairly. We shouldn’t make this a rule in the Constitution,” he said.
What Happens Next?
Even though the bill was rejected, the lawmakers said they would look at the bills again on Wednesday to decide if some of them might still be helpful.
Right now, no rule in the Constitution says the President or Vice President must come from different parts of the country in turn. Political parties usually decide this on their own.
This debate shows how important it is for leaders to think carefully before changing the rules that affect the whole country.
