President Jonathan proposes one-term presidency limit

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has announced he will put in a request with MPs to ament current constitution so that future presidents serve a single, longer term in office. At present the constitution limits presidents to two four-year terms.

Nigerian press has been speculating that the suggested amendment would allow Jonathan to extend his own term. Jonathan, however, has said that the change would would not come into effect before he steps down.

AFP news agency quoted the president as saying: "If the proposed amendment is accepted by the National Assembly, the president assures that he will not in any way be a beneficiary."

Jonathan did not give details about how long the new term should be, but stipulated that the changes would allow politicians to concentrate on governance rather than re-election. According to the BBC, the new term would most likely be for the period of six years.

Jonathan relseased a statement saying, he was "was concerned about the acrimony which the issue of re-election every four years generates". The statement also said: "The nation is still smarting from the unrest, the desperation for power and the overheating of the polity that has attended each general election."

It is estimated that as many as 500 people were killed in violent clashes following the announcement of April's election results, which Jonathan won with nearly 60 per cent of the vote.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, AFP

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

Clashes between police and opposition protesters in Lafia

There have been severe clashes between the police and opposition protesters in Nigeria's north central state of Nasarawa. Police fired tear gas and open gunshots to disperse the crowds causing chaos, and burning tires in the streets. The outbreak of violence follows the stoning of President Goodluck Jonathan's convoy in Lafia earlier this week while he was campaigning for April's election.

A police official in Abuja said that the gubernatorial candidate, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, of the Congress for Progressive Change party, who was allegedly involved in the stoning incident, remains in custody awaiting decision about whether or not he will be charged. According to police reports, Al-Makura was embroiled in the jeers and pelting that marred the flag off of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential election campaign.

Jonathan, the presidential candidate for the ruling PDP in April's elections, is on a campaign tour of several northern states. The PDP has a tradition of alternating presidential power between the north and the south every two terms, thus Jonathan's candidacy is controversial in the north as he is a southerner.

Sources: BBC News, AllAfrica, NEXT

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

President Jonathan vows to ensure a fair election

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he will ensure that the country's election poll, set to take place in April next year, will be credible and free from interference. He said he would uphold his duty as the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by ensuring that the vote is fair and added “I will accept no less than what I have called for in The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire in Nigeria during and after the 2011 elections which are free and fair elections that are seen to be so by the average man."

As the head of ECOWAS Jonathan called on all the parties involved in the Cote D'Ivoire electoral process, to respect proper procedure and ensure it was conducted according to the rules set out by the Independent Electoral Commission.

Speaking about the forthcoming Nigerian elections, Jonathan asked all Nigerians to be steadfast and work with him to ensure a transparent electoral process in 2011. He also mentioned the recently stolen new voter registration equipment, which went missing from Murtala Muhammed international airport in Lagos.

"I specifically want to mention the stolen Direct Data Capture machines. I am glad that the police have lived up to their responsibilities and have made arrests and recovery of items. This is laudable and should be supported by everyone," Jonathan said.

He also added that his administration has taken steps to ensure that breaking the law will not be tolerated. Jonathan assured Nigeria that the stolen Direct Data Capture equipment has not interfered with the process that will lead to credible elections.

Jonathan finished by saying that the election process will be devoid of the “win at all cost” syndrome and said that “there shall not be any do or die elections… every vote will count and the results will be sacrosanct no matter who wins.”

On Thursday 16th December, twenty of Nigeria's most powerful state governors said they will support Jonathan as the ruling party's candidate in next year's election. Jonathan's decision to run next year has attracted some controversy as the ruling party has a pact which stipulates that power should be rotated between the largely Muslim north and the mostly Christian south every two terms.

A recent cable released by WikiLeaks revealed that Jonathan had doubts about his presidential bid and told US Ambassador Robin Sanders that he would only consider running if he was persuaded to do so. The cable also said that Jonathan was keen to “put into place an electoral structure that will be ready for national elections,” and ensure their transparency.

Source: Africa News, Indepth Africa, Reuters, Vanguard

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

President Goodluck Jonathan entitled to run for office says PDP

Nigeria’s governing party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has conceded that President Goodluck Jonathan is entitled to stand in next year's elections, despite the unwritten PDP practice of alternating power between the north and the south of the country.

Jonathan, a southerner, was sworn in as president when president Umaru Yar'Adua died in May 2010, half way through the north's turn of two presidential terms.

"The party believes that Dr Goodluck Jonathan as part and parcel of the joint ticket has the right to contest the presidential primaries for the 2010 elections," said, PDP chairman, Okwesilieze Nwodo.

Jonathan remains silent about whether or not he will run for office next year. Many have noted that despite his popularity his chances of winning will depend on whether or not he will be willing to address a number of important issues such as corruption and the electricity crisis.

Source: BBC News

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.