Nigeria MPs mull third term issue

Nigeria's National Assembly reconvenes after its Easter break and will be debating the Third Term Amendment Bill over the next few weeks.

If passed, it would change the constitution and allow President Olusegun Obasanjo, to stand for another term in office - his third.

The issue has gripped Nigeria and divided the country.

President Obasanjo has not said whether he would stand if given the chance, but his supporters say he should.

Femi Onimole, a member of the House of Representatives for the governing PDP party, asks whether Mr Obasanjo's opponents are interested in good governance.

"Is it just that they want Obasanjo to hand over government? If it is good governance we're talking about, it is immaterial whether it is two terms, whether it is three terms, let us have good governance in this country."

Opposition

Opposition legislator Aminu Waziri believes the president wants to run again and says a third term would be a step towards a civilian dictatorship.

"We are saying no to a third term for reasons that are very obvious. We've been fighting against sit-tight syndromes that had manifested itself in so many parts of Africa.

"Now, unfortunately, here we are, Olusegun Obasanjo now trying to perpetrate himself in power."

Opposition to the bill is widespread.

The vice-president, who also wants the top job, has declared himself against the amendment.

Civil rights groups and even some religious leaders have also voiced their opposition.

United States director of national intelligence John Negroponte has warned that if a third term went ahead, it could plunge the country into turmoil.

The stakes are high; with power comes control of Nigeria's oil reserves.

In the battle for votes, fierce pressure is being exerted by both sides. There have been allegations of bribery.

For the amendment to pass, it requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of the assembly and it needs the backing of two-thirds of the states.

It could be close.

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