Governor Makinde Advocates for Six-Year Single Term for Elected Officials

Governor Makinde Advocates for Six-Year Single Term for Elected Officials

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has proposed a constitutional amendment to introduce a single five- or six-year term for elected public officials in Nigeria. He argued that the current two-term system often leads to political distractions that impede effective governance.

Makinde shared this view during a visit from a delegation of Muslim faithful—led by his deputy, Bayo Lawal—who came to his Ibadan residence for Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. The delegation included both political and traditional leaders.

Reflecting on his own time in office, Makinde, now in his sixth year as governor, said leaders typically spend only about five out of their possible eight years actually focusing on governance. The remaining time, he explained, is often consumed by campaign efforts and political speculation.

"I've served for six years, and we effectively lost the year 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Makinde noted. "Then we lost nearly another year to second-term campaigning. Now, the distractions have begun again with people speculating about my future plans."

He emphasized that eliminating such distractions would allow elected leaders to focus entirely on their mandates.

“That’s why I believe a single term of five or six years is sufficient to get the job done. It’s not about me—if the law is changed and I’m asked to step down early, I’ll accept it,” he said.

Makinde stressed that his suggestion stems from real-world experience and data, not personal interest. He called on Nigerians to begin serious national discussions about the idea and urged lawmakers to revisit the proposal.

“This is a constitutional matter, and we need to give it serious thought. I understand it has previously been brought before the National Assembly. Honestly, this model could work well for Nigeria,” he stated.

Currently, Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) allows presidents and governors to serve a maximum of two four-year terms.

Makinde's position echoes a similar proposal by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who in October 2024 advocated for a six-year single term for the presidency, with rotational leadership across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Despite such proposals, the House of Representatives rejected a bill in November 2024 that sought to introduce a single six-year presidential term.