Urgent Push: 6-Year Single Term for Elected Officials Proposed

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has proposed a change to the constitution that would establish a single term lasting five or six years for elected officials in Nigeria. He argues that the existing two-term setup leads to distractions that interfere with effective governance.

Makinde shared his views during a visit from a group of Muslim leaders, including Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, at his home in Ibadan after the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. The gathering featured various traditional and political figures.

Reflecting on his own experience in office, Makinde noted that, typically, elected leaders are only focused on governance for about five of their eight years due to the demands of campaigns for re-election and speculative politics.

“Having been in office for six years, the unexpected events of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic set us back,” Makinde stated. “We spent much of that time campaigning for a second term. Now, distractions about my future plans are beginning again.”



He emphasized that removing such political distractions would enable a single term of five or six years to provide elected officials with the opportunity to concentrate on fulfilling their responsibilities.

“Thus, I believe that eliminating distractions would allow for a five- or six-year term to effectively achieve what should take eight years,” he continued. “This isn’t personal; if they decide I should conclude my term now, that’s fine.”



Makinde stressed that his suggestion is grounded in practical insights, calling for a national dialogue on the amendment of the constitution.

“This is a constitutional matter we need to examine. Although the National Assembly is aware of it, I genuinely believe that this model could be beneficial for our nation,” he remarked.

As per Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), the law permits presidents and governors to serve a maximum of two four-year terms.

Makinde’s proposal resonates with a similar suggestion made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in October 2024, advocating for a six-year single term for the presidency, while also proposing that the position should rotate among the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.

Nonetheless, in November 2024, the House of Representatives rejected a bill aimed at establishing a single six-year presidential term.