Makinde Proposes Single Six-Year Term for Presidents, Governors to Eliminate Political Distractions

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has proposed a single six-year term for Nigerian presidents and governors, citing reduced distractions and better governance.

Speaking after Eid prayers, he said the current two-term system limits efficiency due to campaign interruptions, urging constitutional review for a more focused and impactful leadership structure.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has proposed a constitutional reform that would limit presidents, governors, and other elected officials in Nigeria to a single term of six years in office. According to the governor, this reform would eliminate political distractions and give leaders the time and space needed to deliver meaningful progress to the people.

Governor Makinde made this suggestion on Friday at his residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, shortly after observing Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Agodi Eid Ground. He was visited by a large delegation of Muslim faithful, clerics, traditional rulers, and political figures who came to pay him a Sallah homage.

Speaking during the gathering, the governor reflected on his own experience and the challenges associated with Nigeria’s current two-term structure, which allows elected officials to serve for a maximum of eight years in two four-year terms. He pointed out that various factors, including pandemics and electioneering distractions, often hinder effective governance within that timeframe.

“I was just looking at the trajectory for me in government. I have spent six years already, and due to no fault of anybody, we lost the year 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“We lost almost one year, campaigning all over the place for the second tenure. Now, people have started distracting us from what we want to do next and all of that. So, I feel that, effectively, the time we can say we are very serious with governance is just about five out of the eight years.”

Governor Makinde emphasized that a five- or six-year single term would reduce the constant focus on re-election campaigns and instead allow leaders to concentrate on fulfilling their electoral promises. He explained that governance should be about making impactful decisions rather than spending time trying to secure another term.

“That is why I feel that if you remove all these distractions, a single tenure of five or six years is actually enough to focus and do the work that we are trying to do in eight years,” he noted.

While acknowledging that the idea would require constitutional changes, he urged Nigerians not to shy away from engaging in honest discussions about what works best for the country.

“Well, we shouldn’t be afraid to say the fact based on data that is available to us. It has nothing to do with me. If they say I should end it, so be it,” he added.

“So, I am just calling the attention of our people to this because it is a constitutional issue. We should start looking at it. I know that it has been brought to the attention of the National Assembly, but, quite frankly, it is a model that should work for this country.”

The delegation that visited the governor was led by Oyo State Deputy Governor, Abdulraheem Lawal. Among those present were prominent political and religious figures, including the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; the Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Taofeek Arapaja; and former deputy governors Hazeem Gbolarumi and Hamid Gbadamosi.

Also in attendance were Abass Agboworin, the lawmaker representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States, Alhaji Dawodu Makanjuola.

During the event, Governor Makinde congratulated the Muslim community on the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir. He thanked them for their continued prayers, loyalty, and support for his administration throughout the past six years, urging them to keep supporting the government with prayers for sustained development and peace in Oyo State.

Delivering a message on behalf of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Ladoja urged residents to remain supportive of Governor Makinde’s leadership and prayed for more accomplishments for the administration.

While speaking with journalists after the prayers, Deputy Governor Lawal called on the Muslim Ummah to live by the values symbolized by Eid-el-Kabir—obedience to divine will, trust in God, and selfless sacrifice. He also praised the governor for his dedication to workers’ welfare and the general well-being of the people, especially through prompt payment of salaries.

“We thank the governor for his commitment to the welfare of workers and the people of Oyo State,” Lawal said, adding that more cooperation from the citizens would enable the government to deliver more dividends of democracy.

The event concluded with special prayers offered for the governor by Islamic cleric Oloso, who also conveyed the appreciation of the Muslim community for the governor’s consistent support and inclusiveness.