The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted against a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to rotate the offices of the president and vice president among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the bill was titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Principle of Rotation of the Offices of the President and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria among the Six Geopolitical Zones of the Country, Namely: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West and for Related Matters (HB. 2291).”

During the plenary session presided over by Kalu, House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, read out the titles of the bills, and members were invited to debate the proposed amendments.

The member representing Dala Federal Constituency, Kano, Rep. Aliyu Madaki, said there was no need for the proposed legislation, saying the constitution already addresses inclusivity through the federal character principle.

Madaki noted that political parties, not the constitution, should decide on zoning, adding that it was unnecessary to entrench the principle in the nation’s supreme law.

Another lawmaker, Ali Isah, representing Balanga/Billiri Fed. Constituency, Gombe State, however, countered Madaki’s position.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker observing that constitutionalising rotational presidency would promote equity and ensure all zones feel included in national leadership.

Also speaking against the bill, Rep. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) described it as “very injurious to the unity of the country.”

He warned that embedding rotation in the constitution might elevate ethnic and regional loyalties over national competence.

“It could play up regional and ethnic interests over competency. It will encourage limited choice of people that can vie for office, and it will encourage regional rivalry, which negates the spirit of unity,” Soli said.

In response, Kalu dismissed fears that the bill would promote mediocrity, stressing that all regions of the country have qualified individuals capable of leading.

He said the bill aimed to give every region a chance to contribute to the country’s governance and progress.

But a lawmaker, Shina Oyedeji, who represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa constituency, Oyo State, opposed the bill.

He said that democracy thrives on open competition and that zoning contradicts democratic values.

“Everybody should be given the chance to stand and contest an election at any given opportunity,” he said.

Another lawmaker, Bello El-Rufai (APC, Kaduna) joined those who rejected the bill, warning that constitutional rotation could stoke ethnic and regional divisions in Nigeria’s diverse society.

After an intense debate, the Deputy Speaker called a voice vote, and the majority of lawmakers responded with “nays,” leading to the bill’s rejection.

Kalu upheld the outcome of the voice vote.