Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has proposed a constitutional amendment seeking to replace Nigeria’s current two-term, four-year tenure for presidents and governors with a single six-year term.
Speaking on his legislative agenda for the next Senate, Bamidele stated that the proposal is aimed at improving governance and reducing the distraction caused by re-election campaigns.
According to the law maker, a single six-year tenure would provide sufficient time for administrations to implement policies. As well as encourage execute development programmes without the pressure of seeking a second term in office.
He said:
“One of the first set of bills that I look forward to moving, by God’s grace, when we come back for the 11th Senate, is for a bill that will only make it possible for anyone who wants to be President of this country, or Governor in any state of this country, to spend only one tenure of six years.
Bamidele further explained that the pursuit of re-election often distracts elected officials from fulfilling their campaign commitments during their first term.
He added:
“So that you don’t even have to worry about wasting almost one and a half years of your first term thinking and struggling, and looking forward to how you’ll be re-elected. If you know you are there for six years, only one tenure, you put in your best from day one. You know this is the only chance that you have,”
However, the majority leader stressed that proposal forms part of broader constitutional reform efforts being considered by the National Assembly. Although others might contend against it which may reduce voters’ ability to hold leaders accountable through the electoral process.
Noting that the approved of the bill by the National Assembly and endorsed through the constitutional amendment process, would significantly alter Nigeria’s presidential and gubernatorial tenure structure.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
