“Unnecessary distraction” – Ayanga, others reject proposed six-year single term for presidents, governors

A public affairs analyst, Bayo Ayanga, and several callers on Eagle 102.5 FM’s Frontline programme have rejected a proposal by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to introduce a single six-year tenure for presidents and governors.

Recall that Senator Bamidele on Monday announced plans to sponsor a constitutional amendment bill seeking the single six-year, non-renewable term.

He disclosed the agenda during an interview with journalists in Abuja, stating it would be among the first bills he intends to move when lawmakers reconvene for the 11th National Assembly after the 2027 elections.

—Bamidele’s argument—

The proposal, which has generated widespread discussion, aims to replace the current two four-year terms with one six-year term.

Bamidele said the change would reduce political distractions tied to re-election campaigns and allow leaders to focus on governance.

He argued that under the current model, elected leaders waste nearly 1.5 years of their first term strategizing for re-election, which degrades active governance.

“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,” Bamidele stated.

The proposal is part of a larger reform package that includes pushing the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, to publicly disclose salaries and allowances of lawmakers and other public officers.

—Ayanga: “Nothing new about the idea”—

Reacting on the programme hosted in Ilese Ijebu, Ogun State, Ayanga said the idea was not new. He recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan had advocated a single five-year tenure in 2012/2013.

“What he said is not new. We remember very well in 2013, I suppose, 2012 or 2013, the then President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan came up with this idea of a five-year single tenure in office. I remember one of the statements he made, that the propensity to want to be gearing for the second term creates a lot of chaos in the politics,” Ayanga said.

He added that Jonathan argued that if people knew they had just one term, they would serve and leave, but the “second term syndrome” creates upheaval.

—Callers: Focus on accountability, not tenure—

Callers who participated overwhelmingly opposed the proposal, arguing that Nigeria’s governance challenges have little to do with tenure length and more to do with accountability, leadership quality and policy implementation.

Calling from Ago-Iwoye, AbdulWasiu described the proposal as an unnecessary distraction from insecurity and governance.

He said four years is sufficient for any serious leader, citing former governors Olabisi Onabanjo, Lateef Jakande, Bola Ige and Ambrose Alli who recorded notable achievements within one term.

“For me, it’s just to divert the attention of Nigeria. Now we are yearning for good governance, and these, our lawmakers, are saying they want to be whatever. They should not divert our attention. 4 years is good enough for anybody to deliver good governors to his people,” AbdulWasiu said.

He urged lawmakers to prioritise insecurity and other pressing challenges.

Another caller, Prince Suleiman Hassan, also dismissed the proposal as an attempt to shift attention from issues affecting citizens.

He called for legislative interventions that would improve living conditions, strengthen social welfare programmes and support elderly citizens.

“It is just a distraction. It’s a big statement. Making us forget what we are really expecting them to say,” Hassan said.

He questioned why lawmakers appeared more concerned with political reforms than measures to guarantee better welfare for ordinary Nigerians.

—“The gap between ruler and led is wide”—

Also contributing, Oscar from Ijebu-Ode argued that Nigeria’s democratic shortcomings stem from the disconnect between leaders and the people.

He said many policies fail because leaders do not personally experience their consequences.

“We have been talking about democracy. Why we are not enjoying it is that you can see that the things that the politicians are the ones that have checked the evidence of democracy. The gap between the ruler and the led are wide,” he said.

“Whether you give them ten years or one single tenure, what they are going to do is just to make any office in this country should be a hands-able for. So, it doesn’t matter who you are. Whether you are Yoruba or Hausa or any tribe.”

Oscar stressed that accountability remains the key ingredient missing in Nigeria’s governance system, insisting no tenure arrangement would solve the country’s challenges unless leaders are held responsible.

—Background—

While Bamidele acknowledged his views represent his personal conviction and may face opposition, he maintained that parliament must allow laws to evolve.

The concept of a single six-year term is not entirely new. Variations have been backed by figures like Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

However, similar legislative attempts failed during second reading stages in 2019 and 2024.

The reactions reflect growing public scepticism over constitutional amendments on tenure length, with many citizens insisting that governance outcomes, transparency and accountability should take precedence over discussions about office duration.