Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday proposed a single term of five or six years for elected political officeholders across all levels of government in Nigeria, instead of the current two-term structure of four years each.
He made this proposal while hosting Muslim faithful, traditional rulers, and political officeholders at his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan, shortly after Eid-el-Kabir prayers.
The delegation was led by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal and included notable figures such as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; former deputy governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman Taofeek Arapaja; former deputy governors Hazeem Gbolarumi and Hamid Gbadamosi; member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency Abass Adigun Agboworin; and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Dawodu Makanjuola.
Governor Makinde explained that a single term of five or six years would allow governments sufficient time to focus on governance, deliver results, and fulfill their mandates without the distractions of campaigning for re-election.
“Let me first extend my warm greetings to our Muslim faithful – Barka de Sallah. By God’s grace, we will celebrate many more together,” he said.
“Reflecting on my time in office, I’ve spent six years in government, and we lost almost one year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The time spent campaigning for a second term cuts further into effective governance. Realistically, only about five of the eight years are truly dedicated to serious governance.
“That’s why I believe a single tenure of five or six years is enough time to focus fully on the work at hand without the distractions that come with running for a second term.
“This is not about me personally; if the system moves to adopt this, so be it. I want to call the attention of our people to this constitutional issue. It has already been brought to the National Assembly, and I believe this model would work well for our country.”
Speaking on behalf of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, urged citizens to support the government and prayed for continued success and achievements for Governor Makinde’s administration.
