The state chairmen of Nigeria's two leading political parties in Cross River State have united in calling for a constitutional amendment to establish a single six-year term for governors and the president.
In exclusive interviews with BenriNews on Thursday to mark Democracy Day, Barrister Alphonsus Eba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Barrister Venatius Ikem of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emphasized that this reform would promote calmer governance by eliminating re-election pressures.
"I totally agree with the popular call for a single tenure of six years because it puts less pressure on the President and Governor with all the associated strain of re-election which is often cumbersome," stated Eba, the ruling party chairman in Cross River State.
Echoing similar sentiments, PDP chairman Ikem noted that the proposal has become "more imperative" for executive branches of government. He recalled that such recommendations have repeatedly emerged during past Constitutional Conferences, including the 2006 Political Reform Conference where he served as a member.
"One wonders why the reform recommendation is still on the shelves," Ikem remarked, pointing to successful implementation of single-term leadership for Vice Chancellors in Nigerian universities. He highlighted how this approach has effectively eliminated the acrimony typically associated with second-term pursuits.
The rare consensus between the rival party leaders comes as Nigeria celebrates Democracy Day, marking the country's journey in democratic governance since the end of military rule.
This proposal for constitutional reform addresses longstanding concerns about the disruptive nature of re-election campaigns and their impact on governance continuity and effectiveness in Nigeria's political landscape.
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