Nigeria's president considers term limits

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ABUJA, Nigeria, July 28 (UPI) -- Any future Nigerian president would serve only a single term but it may be extended by two years under a proposal from Nigeria's current leader.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who assumed office last year after the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua, received more than half of the votes cast in an April election, beating his primary challenger Gen. Muhammadu Buhari by about 10 million votes.

Jonathan said he was calling on members of Parliament to consider a constitutional amendment that would outline a single term in office for president.

The BBC notes that Nigerian newspapers were speculating whether Jonathan was seeking to extend his own term. He suggested, however, that the rules wouldn't go into force until after he leaves office.

Though Jonathan didn't indicate the length of the new single term, the British broadcaster said it's thought to be for six years.

Riots broke out in the predominantly Muslim north after news that Jonathan, a Christian, defeated Buhari, a Muslim.

Human Rights Watch said it had evidence to suggest more than 800 people died in post-election violence and another 65,000 were displaced.