Lunagisthub
Should Nigeria Adopt a Single 16-Year Presidential Term? A Bold Proposal Sparks National Debate
A fresh constitutional conversation is emerging in Nigeria following a bold proposal by Kenneth Eze, who is advocating for a dramatic overhaul of the country’s presidential tenure system.
The senator, representing Ebonyi under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for nationwide discussions on replacing Nigeria’s current two-term, four-year presidency with a single, uninterrupted 16-year term.
The proposal is already generating intense reactions across political, legal, and civil society circles.
Under the 1999 Constitution of the Nigeria, presidents are elected for four-year terms and may serve a maximum of two terms (eight years total).
While this system mirrors that of countries like the United States, critics argue that Nigeria’s political climate and development challenges require a different governance approach.
Why a 16-Year Single Term?
Speaking in Ebonyi State, Senator Eze argued that Nigeria’s frequent election cycles disrupt governance and slow down meaningful development.
According to him:
Political leaders enter campaign mode too early.
Policy focus shifts toward re-election by the third year.
Long-term infrastructure and reform projects often stall.
Governance becomes secondary to political survival.
In his view, a single 16-year tenure would eliminate re-election pressures and allow leaders to concentrate fully on national development without political distractions.
The proposal raises important constitutional and democratic questions:
Policy Continuity:Long-term economic and infrastructure reforms could mature.
Reduced Election Costs:Fewer presidential elections could save billions in public funds.
Stable Leadership Vision: A single mandate might encourage bold, transformative policies.
Risk of Power Concentration: A 16-year term without electoral accountability may weaken democratic checks.
Reduced Voter Influence: Citizens would have fewer opportunities to evaluate and replace leadership.
Historical Sensitivities: Nigeria’s past experiences with prolonged leadership make tenure extension a sensitive issue.
Implementing such a proposal would require:
Constitutional amendment. Approval from the National Assembly.
Ratification by at least two-thirds of state legislatures.
This means the idea, while provocative, faces significant legislative and political hurdles.
The conversation reflects broader dissatisfaction with governance cycles in Nigeria. Many Nigerians feel that development plans often reset with each administration, creating instability in policy implementation.
However, others argue that the solution lies not in extending tenure but in strengthening institutions, improving accountability, and enforcing performance standards.
Senator Kenneth Eze’s proposal has ignited a crucial national debate about governance efficiency versus democratic safeguards. Whether or not a single 16-year term becomes reality, the discussion forces Nigerians to re-examine how leadership structures impact development outcomes.
As the debate unfolds, one question remains central:
Lunagisthub
