Six-year presidency single term not Nigeria’s problem, says Adebayo

Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate for Nigeria's Social Democratic Party in the 2027 general election, has dismissed proposals for a single six-year term for presidents and governors. He views the debate as a distraction from the nation's more critical issues, emphasizing that the length of a presidential term is not the core problem.

“

It’s a distraction. These are all idle talks. A six-year term, a four-year term, that’s not the problem. The problem is that you have to have a system that works.

Adebayo articulated his stance during an interview on Arise News, responding to a potential bill by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. While proponents suggest a single term would allow officials to focus on governance, Adebayo insisted that Nigeria's priority must be establishing an electoral system that guarantees credible elections. He stressed the need for a political system where voters truly decide the outcome and where political parties present ideas and new candidates.

“

You have to have a political system where the voter decides the winner, where nobody watches INEC as if you are watching a secret society, and where political parties raise ideas and raise new people.

"The problem is that you have to have a system that works," Adebayo stated, advocating for electoral reforms over constitutional tenure debates. He urged an end to rigged elections, allowing voters to make their choices freely. "The issue of how long you stay in power and all of that is irrelevant; it’s what you do when you get there," he added.

“

My focus, as we are heading towards the future, is that we must, once and for all, kill the demon of rigged elections. We must, once and for all, allow the voter to vote.

Adebayo maintained that the existing four-year term is adequate, provided elections are conducted freely and fairly. He also addressed concerns about multiple presidential candidates emerging within the SDP, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission to follow legal procedures in resolving such matters. The candidate called for politics centered on policies and programs rather than personal attacks.

“

The issue of how long you stay in power and all of that is irrelevant; it’s what you do when you get there.