NewStats: 3,265,536 , 8,187,131 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 04:16 PM 5es28

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State recently raised a fresh round of controversy when he advocated for a single term of five or six years for president, state governors, and local government chairmen.


Makinde, while advocating for a single tenure of five years, said elected officials are only serious with governance during the first five years out of the eight years.

He said: “I was just looking at the trajectory for me in government. I have spent six years already and due to no fault of anybody, we lost the year 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.


“We lost almost one year, campaigning all over the place for the second tenure. Now, people have started distracting us on what I want to do next and all of that.

“So, I feel that, effectively, the time we can say we are very serious with governance is just about five out of the eight years.

“That is why I feel if you remove all these distractions, a single tenure of five or six years is actually enough to focus and do the work that we are trying to do in eight years.


“We should start looking at it. I know that it has been brought to the attention of the national assembly but, quite frankly, it is a model that should work for this country.”

In November 2024, the House of Representatives rejected a bill seeking to amend the 1999 constitution to provide for a single term of six years for the offices of the president, state governors and local government chairmen.

The then proposed legislation was intended to ensure inclusive governance and to curb wastages occasioned by the four-year periodic elections.


The bill specifically seeks to alter Sections 76, 116, 132, 136, and some others of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

However, the House of Representatives voted against the bill which was sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and 33 other lawmakers.

Two tenures for govs, President a distraction – Lawyer Idam


Backing the call made by Makinde, activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, said the two of eight years for elected officials is a distraction to the incumbent who finds it difficult to focus on tackling issues affecting the security and economic sectors of the country.

Idam noted that such a system discouraged the elected officials from embarking on developmental strides which was brewing instability in Nigeria.

Using Tinubu as a case study, the lawyer said the president was already showing signs of distraction because his activities were already pointing more towards 2027 than governance.

Speaking with DAILY POST, he charged the National Assembly to consider revisiting the single six years tenure Bill with the urgency it required if Nigeria must be saved from the shackles and manacles of political slavery and its attendant underdevelopment and instability.

He said: “I have maintained in several fora and I will reiterate here that the four-year two-tenure system is an albatross to Nigeria’s economic, security and political stability.

“It has systematically discouraged development and has also brewed instability in Nigeria. An example is the ongoing megalomaniac delusion of the already power obsessed incumbent government who from the day of its inauguration, kicked off a campaign to win the next election – without a single attempt on delivering on its electoral mandate.

“One can see without needless rhetoric that President Tinubu is distracted by the 2027 electoral phobia. Hence, little or no attention is given to Nigeria’s security or economic sector.

“It is not news that insecurity has multiplied in Nigeria under this istration. Nigerians now live at the mercy of hoodlums while those entrusted with her security are seemingly preoccupied with permutations of future electoral victory simply to satisfy their personal desire to complete the available future tenure.

“The situation is the same with the governors and other elected officers. They are desperately concerned with self-conscious consultations which are only targeted at winning 2027 reelection, instead, of developing their states or delivering on their expected mandates.

“If truth must be told, Nigeria cannot make progress with the four-year two-tenure system knowing that, no Nigerian elected officer is ever contented with a single four years tenure. They all want to exhaust their chances despite their woeful performance.”

Two for president, govs not constitutional – Baba-Ahmed

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former Political Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, dismissed any move for a second term by presidents and state governors.

Stressing that such is not constitutional, Baba-Ahmed insisted that second tenure is a fallacy.

Speaking with DAILY POST, he said: “The clamour for two have no place in the constitution; the constitution provides for elected people to serve for four years, at the end of the four years like in the case of the governor and president – if they so desire to be reelected, they come back to the electorates to demand for another mandate.

“We Nigerians who have created this idea that somebody must serve for two , it becomes one of the distractive sentiments to the presidency.

“Yar’Adua didn’t serve for eight years, God took his life after two years; Jonathan didn’t serve for eight years because he served the two of Yar’Adua and another term, hence Nigerians refused to allow him to continue, there is nothing special about this.

“We have been served this nonsense that not just that you must serve for eight years but the person must come from a particular part of the country. It’s not only a fallacy because it doesn’t exist in the constitution but it’s also tied to ethnicity and geopolitics.”

Constitutional amendments can’t change politicians – Baba -Ahmed

Baba-Ahmed noted that amending the constitution by the National Assembly to allow six years of single tenure can’t change the current crop of politicians.

He noted that corrupt politicians if given power will still mis-govern Nigeria even if the constitution is amended.

“Regarding the issue of a six year term, we are talking about a whole constitution amendment to provide for a single term president.

“So long as we have the same type of politicians, whether you give them one term and ask them to go back for another one term or you give them six years, they both have the same type of poor governance, this crop of politicians, it’s not how many years we give them but they operate a democratic system as if the power belongs to them and not the people.

“You can change the system and give a president six years and he will still abuse it because he knows that he doesn’t have to come back to the electorate because he has a single term.

“He can use up to six years in such a manner that he doesn’t recognize ability and responsibility.

“People think changing structures and systems is going to change Nigeria’s politics, it’s not. It’s the quality of people who have to operate and Nigerians need to pay very close attention to the kind of people we are voting into power.

“There is the need for Nigeria’s to shore off this kind of politicians who are interested in power for themselves,” he added.

Meanwhile, Baba-Ahmed, a former presidential aide, pointed out that the current National Assembly can’t amend the constitution to reflect such a change.

Baba-Ahmed noted that the Executive has pocketed the current National Assembly, hence can’t amend the constitution to change the structure.

“I have made the point; it doesn’t matter if you give a president clamouring for leadership one term or two, they will abuse it because they do not see the mandate of the people as a trust to govern well, they see it as the power that should benefit them and the small circle around them.

“So, it really doesn’t matter; unfortunately, if you are talking about this current National Assembly that is in the pocket of the executive, they will do exactly what the executive wants.

“If you try asking this National Assembly to amend this constitution in a manner that offends the executive arm, it won’t make any difference.

“I don’t think this National Assembly will embark on a constitutional amendment that could change the structure not to talk of the quality of people who emerge, who continue to misgovern and ignore the very serious problems we face like insecurity, poverty, intercommunal conflicts,” he added.

Single six years term will cut wastage by govt – Rep Ikenga Ugochinyere

House of Representatives member from Ideato Federal constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, backed the six year single tenure for elected officers in the country.

In a chat with DAILY POST, Ugochinyere said one term of six years will reduce waste of public funds by elected officials.

He said: “I sponsored the bill even though it didn’t go but we are coming back.

“I will be representing the bill for a single term of six, rotational presidency and all elections in one day.

“Already all elections in one day have ed 2nd reading because I represented it.

“Six years will reduce waste, bring more development and the call is timely.”

Source: https://dailypost.ng/Two-tenure-for-president-govs-Stakeholders-weigh-Makindes-single-term-call

Almost everything in life has its merits and demerits. I believe strongly that the merits of a single term tenure for political office holders are far more than its demerits. As Makinde highlighted (using his own personal experience), a lot of time is wasted on preparing to win a second term. 5 years should be enough for anyone with great ideas to turn things around!

He should have advocate for this in his first term

Sensible enough from someone who has seen it all... I guess Nigerians will back that. Politicians won't, though

Mankinde want to add two years to his eight years through backdoor .


Subsidy windfall and double FAAC allocation is giving the governors good wounds they like. That is why they are doing everything to President Bola Tinubu for 2027

Jonathan already made this move about 10 years ago, everyone was shouting, today we all can see its the right thing after 10years. No wonder, he told us then that "the choice before us is to either move forward, or move backward" unfortunately, we chose to move backward.

Hmmm great idea
And using heavy fund from the government purse to rerun for a post.

Infact, this would have been the best. Because if an individual in government knew that they have certain period in office of course they will sit well and work.

Four years is enough for a president. Elongating their tenure breeds entitlement to the throne. I just feel if we have a strong institution that can start an impeachment processes without a blinking of an eye, these politicians will sit up.

It has it's merits and demerits...



Seun why must I make a post with at least 40 characters?

I made a post I changed my mind about and can't even cancel it?

I had to start adding unnecessary characters. Just to meet up.


Pls look into it!

Lol if it's like that then President and Governors would waste 4 years in office achieving next to nothing.

musazulyadain:
Infact, this would have been the best. Because if an individual in government knew that they have certain period in office of course they will sit well and work.

Some will not care about good governance cause after all I'm not coming back.

That's a nice idea but other elected officers won't buy it. The president and the governors suppose do five-year single term and leave the office but because of corruption and stealing

The politics wey dey pain me na Governor wey don do 8 years after him finish run go senate... Make the law we go make a sitting/ out going governor ineligible to contest Senatorial seat until 4 years after his tenure. This would enable the EFCC and other agencies probe his government.

While it's a good idea I don't think it will make much difference.
The good side to it is that less money will be spent on politics
As for the bad side, we know that our politicians even after completing 8 years start plotting to capture the state. They will want to produce the gov, assembly , LG chairmen, ward councillors and even party officials. How can anyone tell me those ones will not spend the last two years of their tenure playing politics
The two most popular political office holders in the executive today are both godfathers in their respective states. Even with the deluge of responsibility on their necks, they are still fighting to maintain control of their states. One just had his gov prostrate for an offence he never knew he committed while the other is still chasing his gov around under the guise of he must call for peace. How will single tenure solve this?

The relatively younger ones want to get a chance early. 8 years governor and 8 years president. Brings forward a whole new generation after they leave.

A lot of people working with Tinubu now, will retire with him.

The only checks and balances we have right now is that election after 4 years. Take for example this regime. Tinubu and Akapbio and Kekere-ekun are all in bed together. There is no presidential, legislative or judiciary oversight, like it should be in a healthy system.

Allowing them to now run unchecked for single term of 6 years....is akin to military rule. That was the reason we fought for democracy, to fire bad politicians at the polls.

THIS IS THE MOST UNDEMOCRATIC IDEA EVER MENTIONED IN NIGERIA.

temitope27:
He should have advocate for this in his first term

The Thinking of a Nigerian that takes everything Personal
.

The move is good but not necessary.
Some Nigerians are made of low quality memory so as such we forget the pains wicked politicians put us through within the space of four years alone making it look like an eternal governing.

Single term will be good until our greedy button is pressed one more time and then will increase the volume to sixteen years again.

Makinde had a masterpiece for sailing the state, which I feels he delivers within his allotted time, so no need for single term.

A government that has the mind of the people will deliver within four years of service.

Not in Nigeria will I ever politician for six years although the way election processes in Nigeria is makes it easy for any government to do eight years if not only few of them deserve one year self.

I rest my piece.

It is quite disturbing that the calls are for power. Atiku, Amaechi, Obi, Yunusa Tanko, El Rufai, Babachir Lawal are all holding gatherings to talk about grabbing power. Until now, they have not explained how they'd improve the lives of Nigerians. They said there is poverty. How have they taken others out of poverty?

Let us examine each of what they did when they had power:

(1) Atiku: was accused to have sold government properties to cronies which led to a clash with El Rufai. He also itted to have participated in mismanaging the power sector reforms by paying some contractors 100% upfront who disappeared with the funds.

(2) El Rufai allegedly promoted internecine crisis and religious crisis while he served as governor. He was fined about 1 billion naira recently along with others for detaining some of his critics.

(3) Babachir was accused to have used his position to award an hyper-inflated grasscutting contract to a company he had interest in. That cost him his job.

(4) Yunusa has not held any position. He is a follower of Obi.

(5) Obi says things like he had one wrist-watch, one shoe for seventeen years and struggles to explain what he did to lift his people out of poverty while he led them. He cannot point to legacy and innovative projects he did. Many believe he has the midas touch to solve the problems in Nigeria he could not tackle as governor of a small state.

Tenure of presidency is not the issue. Whether single term of six years, what is important is to have leaders who are intentional in bold reforms and have ideas to drive growth.

Sadly, none of those mentioned above have acquitted themselves with their antecedents.

After about to spend 8 years

Selfish and self centered

It's disturbing that Oyo state indigenes are silent and looking other way while Seyi is borrowing money to pay PDP staff salary for the past 5months.

He will leave the state with huge debt burden

After completing 8 years abi, you want others to do 5 years

optimistic0001:
Jonathan already made this move about 10 years ago, everyone was shouting, today we all can see its the right thing after 10years. No wonder, he told us then that "the choice before us is to either move forward, or move backward" unfortunately, we chose to move backward.

This very gej word always echo in my head daily seeing the current situation of things

adenigga:

Source: https://dailypost.ng/Two-tenure-for-president-govs-Stakeholders-weigh-Makindes-single-term-call

the thief in aso rock has not even delivered on anything, and already talking about 2027.

Leadership is not about how to quicken it so it goes turn by turn faster...

Leaders need time to assimilate and implement policies not about politics of turn by turn....

Makinde should rest with his wayo of parcifying the north that he would only use South's remaining one term... All just for desperation...

emkz:
It is quite disturbing that the calls are for power. Atiku, Amaechi, Obi, Yunusa Tanko, El Rufai, Babachir Lawal are all holding gatherings to talk about grabbing power. Until now, they have not explained how they'd improve the lives of Nigerians. They said there is poverty. How have they taken others out of poverty?

Let us examine each of what they did when they had power:

(1) Atiku: was accused to have sold government properties to cronies which led to a clash with El Rufai. He also itted to have participated in mismanaging the power sector reforms by paying some contractors 100% upfront who disappeared with the funds.

(2) El Rufai allegedly promoted internecine crisis and religious crisis while he served as governor. He was fined about 1 billion naira recently along with others for detaining some of his critics.

(3) Babachir was accused to have used his position to award an hyper-inflated grasscutting contract to a company he had interest in. That cost him his job.

(4) Yunusa has not held any position. He is a follower of Obi.

(5) Obi says things like he had one wrist-watch, one shoe for seventeen years and struggles to explain what he did to lift his people out of poverty while he led them. He cannot point to legacy and innovative projects he did. Many believe he has the midas touch to solve the problems in Nigeria he could not tackle as governor of a small state.

Tenure of presidency is not the issue. Whether single term of six years, what is important is to have leaders who are intentional in bold reforms and have ideas to drive growth.

Sadly, none of those mentioned above have acquitted themselves with their antecedents.

Your man Friday fought subsidy removal only to implement it.
His antecedent is that of a man who captures a state after an average tenure and then goes about claiming every good thing that happens there for himself.
Lastly, he has not told us what he has done different from those before him. Instead, he has lowered the bar by commissioning uncompleted 4% road and a refurbished event center.

Seyi Makinde is having 8 years as governor but now agitating for 6 years tenure,these politicians are clowns

In my opinion, a single term of five years is okay.

Well...

He has a point..

Give them one single tenure...it will make them focus on governance...

Just two years into the current istration, and we are already being distracted by the next cycle of elections... Governance is technically stopping by 2026 and they will focus on elections.

I against that move.they have two some of them still can't do anything not to talk about a just a term .

Keep weighing it till 2031 Tinubu is not g his own political coup d'etat.

You can advocate for your half term, one term, single term after 2031 then Southern president in person of Tinubu must have completed his 8 years as Buhari the Northern president did anything short of that is just noise making dead on arrival project.

And for Makinde those deceiving him telling him to contest for president or those calling him next president are just pure comedians, anyway even one comedian pastor said my man Davido will become the president so all we need to ask them is in "which country and when" in Obj voice.