Bamidele pushes six-year single term for presidents, govs

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has announced his intention to sponsor legislation introducing a single six-year term for Nigeria's president and governors. Bamidele revealed the plan in an interview, stating the bill would be among his first priorities for the 11th Senate, following the 2027 general elections.

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One of the first set of bills that I look forward to moving, by God’s grace, when we come back for the 11th Senate, God willing, is for a bill that will only make it possible for anyone who wants to be president of this country, or governor in any part of this country, to spend only one term of six years.

Under the current Nigerian constitution, presidents and governors can serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Bamidele contends that this system compels elected officials to begin planning for a second term early in their first tenure, diverting focus from effective governance. He believes a single six-year term would remove the pressure of re-election, allowing leaders to dedicate their entire tenure to public service.

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So that you don’t even have to worry about wasting almost one and a half years of your first term thinking and struggling and looking forward to how you’ll be re-elected.

"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. He acknowledged that the proposal might face opposition but emphasized the importance of pursuing reforms to enhance governance. He also noted that laws should evolve with national realities.

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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.

The suggestion is likely to revive a long-standing constitutional discussion in Nigeria regarding executive tenures. Similar proposals for a single term have emerged since the nation's return to democracy in 1999, with proponents arguing it would reduce campaign distractions and facilitate long-term policy implementation. Notably, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also advocated for a six-year single term in recent constitutional review proposals.

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The essence of law, the essence of parliament, is that laws are like human beings; they grow.