Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has proposed the adoption of a single six-year term for presidents and governors in Nigeria, arguing that it would allow elected officials to focus more on governance rather than re-election campaigns.
The governor made this declaration on Friday in Ibadan while addressing Muslim faithful, Islamic clerics, and other stakeholders who visited his residence after Eid-el-Kabir prayers.
"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," Makinde stated.
Eliminating Re-election Distractions
The governor emphasized that his proposal was based on available data and not personal interest. "Well, we shouldn't be afraid to say the fact based on data that is available to us. It has nothing to do with me. If they say I should end it, so be it," he added.
The delegation that visited the governor was led by Deputy Governor Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal and included prominent figures such as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja, Hazeem Gbolarumi, and Hamid Gbadamosi.
Also present were Abbas Adigun Agboworin, representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawodu Makanjuola.
Makinde's proposal comes amid ongoing discussions about constitutional reforms in Nigeria, with various stakeholders advocating for changes to the current electoral system to improve governance and reduce the cost of frequent elections.
Political analysts note that the idea of a single term presidency has been floated several times in Nigeria's political history, including during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but has never gained enough traction to become law.
Follow BenriNews on social media for more updates:
