Senate approves bill to extend 83-year-old Zimbabwe presidential term

Zimbabwe's Senate has overwhelmingly approved controversial constitutional amendments that critics decry as a "constitutional coup." The changes will extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, potentially allowing 83-year-old President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.

The bill received strong backing, with 75 senators voting in favor and only four against. This follows its earlier passage in the National Assembly on June 18, where 216 members voted for and 42 against. The amendments, championed by Mnangagwa's Zanu-PF party which has governed since independence in 1980, now await Mnangagwa's signature to become law.

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The people of Kano State have every reason to continue supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His commitment to the development of Kano and Nigeria at large has shown that he deserves overwhelming support from our people.

Beyond extending term lengths, the amendments introduce a significant shift in how the president is chosen. Direct presidential elections, established in 1987, will be replaced by a system where parliament appoints the president. This move is seen by the opposition as a further entrenchment of Zanu-PF's control over the resource-rich nation, which has been weakened by years of repression and disputed elections.

Activists opposing the amendments have reported intimidation and violence, including arrests and assaults attributed to suspected state agents. Legal challenges aimed at halting the process have so far failed. Mnangagwa, who came to power in a 2017 military-backed coup, was elected for two five-year terms in 2018 and 2023. The government claims the changes will "enhance political stability and policy continuity to allow development programmes to be implemented to completion." However, Human Rights Watch has documented instances of violence and intimidation against opponents of the amendments in recent months.

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I urge all political leaders, stakeholders and supporters across Kano State to remain united and committed to strengthening this partnership for the benefit of our people.