Should presidents, governors have six-year single terms?
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has said that Nigeria would understudy the Mexican presidential system with a view to considering a single term for the president and governors. Daily Trust spoke to some Nigerians on the subject. Jatto Joy, 26, Student, Zuba, FCT The six-year single term is a very good idea. Majority […]
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has said that Nigeria would understudy the Mexican presidential system with a view to considering a single term for the president and governors. Daily Trust spoke to some Nigerians on the subject.
Jatto Joy, 26, Student, Zuba, FCT
The six-year single term is a very good idea. Majority of those in power often get a second term after spending four year, even when they have not achieved anything that benefits the country or state. They simply continue to steal our money.
Barr. Ifeanyi Umeukeje, 50, Lawyer, Abuja
The way and manner political office holders act in Nigeria is the main issue. In some other climes our present system works perfectly for them whether we operate the single six-year term or not. However, if the necessary laws meant to checkmate the excesses of leaders are not operative, it will still fail. It may eventually turn out to be a six-year period of looting and show of power. It is better to maintain the present structure of two four-year terms. The governors will loot the states dry if asked to run for a single term. What we need is a sound system that will checkmate governors’ excesses.
Comrade Lawal Kayode, 38, Consultant, Jahi District Abuja
This is a statement from the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu. He’s been proposing the six-year tenure, a document that has been submitted to the National Assembly. The Deputy President of the senate is supposed to explain to Nigerians the reason for making such statement. I know that one of the reasons is to reduce cost because the stakeholders are saying to maintain democracy is too expensive. Nigeria should look at the key areas that cause disunity, for our motto is peace and unity which is very essential to our country.
Liman Musa, 29, Applicant, Abuja
Giving presidents and governors six-year single terms in office would be a welcome change. The four years we have do not yield positive results from the federal to the state level since the rebirth of democracy in 1999. This is because the essence of democracy in any given nation or geographical entity is to revitalize the living standard of its people in the area of culture, health, education, employment, security, and so on.
Nigerians as citizens of a democratic nation are yet to achieve the aim of democracy to its maximum, due to selfish and unpatriotic interests of politicians within the corridors of power. Therefore, the six-year single term is seen as a tool or mechanism that would restructure Nigeria’s political and democratic systemization. Nigeria as a federal republic needs to reform its constitution on this very subject matter in order to guarantee the six-year single term of office. If achieved, it will help to overcome issues of chief executives struggling and concentrating on planning to come back to office using the resources and instruments of state.
Alhaji Mohammed Sani, 49, Lawyer and Publisher, Abuja
Single terms of six years for presidents and governors will be a very good idea. I will suggest they go on six years single term so that whoever is coming in will know that he just has a single term to be able to do the right thing. In this way, we would avoid the situation where they do nothing in the first four years, hoping to still come back again for a second chance.
Iwebo Pat. Pathogoras, 54, Journalist, Abuja
In as much as I appreciate continuity it is too soon in a developing country. It is however encouraged in developed countries. But it is not a universal qualifier, meaning it does not hold for all, especially in developing country. Six years is too much for a developing country.
Obayi Nnamdi, 30, Accountant, Utako, Abuja
Yes I agree that the president and governors should have six years because the government or president may have a lot of projects but because of the limited period of four years, they will not be able to complete them. However, if we give them six years, they will have enough time to accomplish their projects. Any leader who cannot accomplish his or her mission within these six years is a failure. Secondly, we may not be able understand the level of work our leaders put in because they need to mend the damage caused by their predecessors. With six years, they would have enough time to make an impact. This period can serve to enable a leader trace a problem to the grass root.
Suleiman Adukwu, 29, Hotelier, Mararaba Abuja
Six years is too much. If the president or governors cannot accomplish their project within four years, then we elect another capable person. Four years is the normal period for our country, Nigeria.