Senate Leader to Propose Six-Year Single Term Bill for the President and Governors

Nigeria's Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, intends to introduce a constitutional amendment bill proposing a single six-year term for the president and governors. This initiative, planned for the 11th National Assembly, aims to strengthen governance by eliminating the focus on re-election campaigns.

Bamidele disclosed this plan during an interview in Abuja, where he discussed broader political and constitutional reforms. He believes a single term would allow leaders to concentrate on governance without the constant pressure of campaigning for a second term. The proposal is part of a larger package designed to improve the country's political landscape.

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All allowances received by parliamentarians at both the federal and state levels should be published fully and publicly. Legislators do not determine their remuneration. The Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission is responsible for that.

In addition to the term limits proposal, Bamidele challenged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to publicly disclose the salaries and allowances of all public officeholders. He argued that transparency from the commission, which is constitutionally mandated to determine remuneration, would dispel public misconceptions about the earnings of lawmakers and other officials. Bamidele stressed that legislators do not set their own pay.

Furthermore, Bamidele defended the Senate's decision not to investigate military spending amid ongoing insecurity. He argued that probing military expenditures while troops are actively engaged in combat operations could jeopardize national security. He also indicated that an anti-terrorism bill is nearing completion and expressed support for the death penalty for kidnappers.

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The commission should publish comprehensively what every category of public office holder earns. These includes members of the National Assembly, state assembly members, ministers and others. Once that is done, many of the misconceptions surrounding legislative remuneration will disappear.