The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking an interpretation of the constitutional provisions governing presidential term limits.
The party is asking the court to clarify whether the constitutional limit of two presidential terms applies regardless of whether the terms are served consecutively or are separated by a period out of office.
In its statement of case, the NPP is seeking declarations on the interpretation of Articles 58(2) and 66(1), (2) and (3)(a) of the 1992 Constitution.
Among other reliefs, the party wants the court to declare that the presidential term limit means a maximum of two terms, whether consecutive or non-consecutive.
The NPP is further seeking clarification on the eligibility of a Vice-President who assumes the presidency for more than half of a predecessor’s unexpired term.
It wants the court to declare that such a person would be eligible to contest for election as President for only one term.
The party is also asking the court to clarify whether a person who has previously served one presidential term may serve only one additional term, regardless of whether the two terms are consecutive.
The NPP argues that such an interpretation could allow a person who has served one term, lost an attempt at immediate re-election and later returned to office to serve two additional terms.
The party describes that interpretation as a threat to the constitutional framework governing presidential tenure.
“Plaintiff considers this proposition not only absurd but dangerous for the democracy, peace and stability of the nation,” the statement of case reads.
“Acceding to this interpretation will condone and sanction manipulation of clear provisions in the Constitution as it involves inserting words into the constitutional text—it will involve amending the Constitution through judicial fiat,” the party states.
The NPP’s arguments also draw on international examples, including the United States’ 22nd Amendment, which limits the number of times a person may be elected President.
The party further refers to constitutional developments in other African countries and argues that attempts to alter presidential term limits have contributed to political instability in some jurisdictions.
