Makinde Sparks Storm: Calls For One-Term Presidency, Stakeholders React Fiercely

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reignited national debate by advocating for a single five- or six-year term for Nigeria’s president, state governors, and local government chairmen. He argued that elected officials only perform optimally during their first term, while their second term is often marked by distractions and politicking.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reflecting on his own time in office, Makinde said:

“I’ve spent six years in office. We lost 2020 to COVID-19, then another year to campaigning. Now, with two years left, people are already asking about my next political move. Realistically, we only have about five years of focused governance out of eight.”

According to him, a single-term structure would eliminate political distractions and enhance focus on governance. He urged the National Assembly to revisit the proposal, describing it as a model that “should work for Nigeria.”

Previous Attempt Rejected by House

In November 2024, the House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish a single six-year term for these offices. Sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and 33 other lawmakers, the bill aimed to reduce electoral costs and promote inclusive governance. It proposed amending sections 76, 116, 132, 136, and others of the 1999 Constitution.

Support from Legal Experts and Lawmakers

Activist lawyer Maduabuchi Idam backed Makinde’s stance, calling the two-term structure a major distraction from governance. He argued that elected officials often prioritize reelection over delivering their mandates, citing President Tinubu as an example of someone allegedly more focused on the 2027 election than tackling national challenges.

“The obsession with reelection has led to neglect of critical sectors like security and the economy,” Idam said. “Nigerians are at the mercy of criminals while politicians are consumed by 2027 calculations.”

Idam urged the National Assembly to reconsider the single-term proposal to end what he termed “political slavery and instability.”

Similarly, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who sponsored the initial bill, pledged to reintroduce it.

“A six-year single tenure will curb the reckless use of public funds and improve governance,” he said, adding that the reintroduced bill would also push for rotational presidency and same-day elections nationwide.

Baba-Ahmed: The Real Issue Is Leadership, Not Tenure

Former presidential adviser Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, however, dismissed the idea that changing term lengths would solve Nigeria’s governance problems. He insisted the issue lies with the quality of politicians, not the constitutional framework.

“Whether it’s four years or six, a bad leader will still misgovern,” he said. “The obsession with two terms is not constitutional—it’s a product of political culture and ethnic sentiments.”

Baba-Ahmed argued that even with constitutional reform, Nigeria’s current political class would still undermine democracy because they see power as personal entitlement rather than a public trust.

He also expressed doubt that the current National Assembly—which he described as “in the pocket of the executive”—would pass any reform perceived as challenging to the presidency.

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