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The Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPDEN) has commended the Senate for amending its standing rules to restrict eligibility for principal and presidential positions in the 11th National Assembly to members with at least two consecutive terms of service.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of CNPDEN, Chief Rapheal Ikechukwu Okorie, described the move as a “courageous and far-sighted decision that demonstrates that the Nigerian Senate is firmly in tune with global parliamentary best practices.
According to the group, In the world’s most mature democracies, the leadership of legislative institutions is entrusted to expert hands. The U.S. Congress offers instructive examples – from Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who held various leadership roles from 2007 to 2025 – underscoring the universal value of rewarding legislative experience and institutional continuity.
“This development is widely accepted by Nigerian citizens. This is a popular course of action that will strengthen our nascent democracy and strengthen the institutional foundations of the National Assembly.
“The amended rules, in our opinion, go beyond any individual ambition, they are designed to survive the current political moment and remain sustainable now and in the future.
“Fundamentally, this amendment is not intended to close the doors to any person, but to send a clear message that the Senate is looking beyond its current composition towards the integrity and long-term effectiveness of Nigeria’s principal legislative chamber.
“Rules that reward expertise and discourage impunity must be celebrated by every Nigerian who believes in the rule of law and the health of our democracy.”
The statement urges all Nigerians, civil society organizations and political actors to support the amendment and hold the Senate accountable for its full implementation.
