GGM STRATEGIC MEETING BULLETIN – EXTRAORDINARY DELEGATES SESSION, JULY 2025
Delegates met to debate GGM’s contribution to the ongoing review of the 1999 constitution by the National Assembly. The meeting resolves as follows:
1. Some scenarios contained in the Fourth Alteration (No. 16) Act, 2017 prevent a Deputy Governor or Vice President, who completes the term of an elected Governor or President from being elected to the same office for more than a single term. This alters Sections 137 and 182 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives right of up to two terms to the person who occupies the office of President or Governor.
*we consider that:*
1. These alterations unjustly put such persons who occupied the office of a Deputy Governor or Vice President at a disadvantage as they are automatically disqualified from the maximum two terms provided for in the constitution.
2. The alterations do not clearly distinguish between full and partial terms. This is especially critical if and when a Vice President or Deputy Governor completes a residual term of no more than 24 months. Negative implications of this scenario are dire. They disincentivize Deputy Governors and Vice Presidents as though a punishment for an existential crisis. Also, if a Vice‑President or Deputy Governor or Vice-Chairman assumes office within an ongoing tenure, due to the death, resignation, impeachment, or removal of the principal, such is only eligible to contest for that position once, even if the inherited tenure is less than a month to go. This raises critical questions regarding policy stability.
3. While the amendment may have aimed to curb perceived problems of inordinate ambition, its real-world effects across Nigeria’s states and federal institutions trigger unintended outcomes—especially where administrations have not been long enough for impactful governance; as such tenure may not be long enough to complete mid‑term projects.
4. The impact on economic sustainability underscores disruption in Policy Continuity, abandonment or alteration of long-term economic strategies, undermines national development plans, discourages foreign and local investors and motivation as this can negatively impact Long-Term Planning.
5. The National Assembly should propose a constitutional amendment clarifying eligibility in succession scenarios to contain: “…..if more than 24 months to the end of an inherited tenure…..”
Further, for good governance to thrive as appropriate, local government autonomy must come to true light.
We thank our beloved President and the National Assembly for the ongoing constitution review and call on all stakeholders to give their best support.
*E-Signed:*
*Hon. Adebayo Ayodeji DJB*
_GGM National Director of Media and Publicity._
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bsl6zOl9r1H7hNtVDJuZl4?mode=ac_t
