Why Rotational Presidency Could Change Everything for Young Nigerians

Photo: The Punch

You know that feeling when your turn never comes? That's exactly how many young Nigerians feel about our political system. But something interesting is brewing in Abuja that might change the game completely.

Recently, some former lawmakers have been making noise about something called "rotational presidency" – and honestly, this could be the biggest game-changer for our democracy since 1999. Let me break it down for you in simple terms.

What Exactly Is This Rotational Presidency Thing?

Think of it like this: instead of having one region dominate the presidency for decades, we create a system where power rotates between different parts of Nigeria. It's like taking turns – something we all learned in primary school, but apparently forgot when it comes to politics.

The former lawmakers are pushing for this to be written into our constitution, not just left as some gentleman's agreement that politicians can ignore when convenient. And let's be real – when have politicians ever kept gentleman's agreements?

What This Means for Gen Z and Millennials

Here's where it gets interesting for young Nigerians like us. A rotational system could mean:

• More predictable political careers: You'd know when your region's "turn" is coming, making it easier to plan long-term political involvement
• Reduced ethnic tensions: No more "us versus them" mentality when everyone knows they'll get a chance
• Better representation: Every part of Nigeria gets to put their best foot forward
• Youth inclusion: Parties might be forced to groom younger leaders knowing their turn is guaranteed

The Constitutional Wahala

Now, here's where things get complicated. Changing our constitution isn't like updating your WhatsApp status. It requires serious legislative gymnastics:

First, both houses of the National Assembly need a two-thirds majority. Then, at least 24 out of 36 state houses of assembly must agree. It's like trying to get all your family members to agree on what to watch on Netflix – theoretically possible, but practically... well, you know how that goes.

The Real Talk: Pros and Cons

The Good: This system could finally address the regional imbalances that have plagued Nigeria since independence. Imagine a country where no region feels marginalized or left out. That's the dream, right?

The Not-So-Good: Critics argue that this might reduce competition and political innovation. Why work hard to win votes when your turn is guaranteed? It's like having a participation trophy in politics.

What History Teaches Us

We've tried informal rotation before. Remember how power moved from Obasanjo (Southwest) to Yar'Adua/Jonathan (South-South/Northeast) to Buhari (Northwest) and now Tinubu (Southwest again)? It sort of worked, but without constitutional backing, it was always shaky.

The 2023 elections showed us how heated things can get when rotation isn't formally guaranteed. Social media was literally on fire with debates about whose "turn" it was.

Impact on Youth Political Participation

Here's something most people aren't talking about: how this affects young people's political involvement. Currently, many young Nigerians feel like outsiders in politics. But with guaranteed rotation, political parties might be forced to invest in youth development across all regions.

Think about it – if you know your region will produce the next president in 8 years, wouldn't you start grooming leaders now? This could create more opportunities for young politicians to cut their teeth in serious governance roles.

The Social Media Generation's Role

As digital natives, young Nigerians have unprecedented power to shape this conversation. We saw what happened during #EndSARS – when young people unite around an idea, things happen. The question is: will we engage with this constitutional debate seriously, or will we just tweet about it?

Looking Ahead: 2027 and Beyond

Whether you support Tinubu for 2027 or not, this rotational presidency conversation is bigger than any individual politician. It's about creating a system that works for everyone – including those of us who will be running this country in 20 years.

The reality is that constitutional change is a marathon, not a sprint. Even if this process starts now, it might not affect the 2027 elections. But it could reshape 2031 and beyond.

Bottom Line

Rotational presidency isn't perfect, but it might be exactly what Nigeria needs right now. For young people, it represents a chance to participate in a more predictable, inclusive political system. The question isn't whether we support this specific proposal, but whether we're ready to engage seriously with constitutional reform.

Because let's face it – if we don't shape the conversation now, others will make these decisions for us. And we all know how that usually turns out.

What do you think? Is rotational presidency the solution to Nigeria's political problems, or just another distraction from real issues? The comment section is yours – let's have this conversation properly.