Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Senator Kenneth Eze, representing Ebonyi Central and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, has again brought a proposal into the spotlight that sparked national debate: replacing Nigeria’s current system of two four-year presidential terms with a single, non-renewable 16-year tenure. His remarks, delivered on Monday during an interaction with journalists at his country home in Ohigbo-Amagu, Ezza South Local Government Area, have prompted fresh discussion on the structure of executive governance in Africa’s most populous nation.
Eze argued that the prevailing two-term presidential cycle enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution often undermines sustained policy implementation and long-term national development. According to him, the four-year span for each term leaves elected leaders in a continuous cycle of electioneering, stalling governance as attention shifts toward re-election efforts by the third year of a tenure. He said that this dynamic leads to abandoned projects and disrupted policy continuity, particularly in sectors requiring multi-year intervention such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and fiscal reform.
“Nigeria’s Constitution provides for a four-year presidential term, renewable once, but if you ask me, I will advocate one tenure of 16 years,” the senator said. “It sounds controversial, but it will allow policies to run their full course and stabilize the system.” Eze stressed that his proposal was intended to prompt a governance conversation on how best to strengthen institutional stability rather than undermine democratic principles.
Eze’s comments have drawn mixed reactions across political and civic circles. Supporters argue that extended tenures could reduce the frequency of disruptive electoral campaigns and give incumbent administrations room to focus on long-term development strategies without the looming pressure of imminent elections. They contend that sustained leadership over an extended period could advance reforms in critical areas such as irrigation, mechanized farming, energy infrastructure, and economic diversification, all of which historically require commitment beyond short political cycles.
However, critics cautioned that a 16-year single tenure is highly unconventional and could concentrate executive power in ways that might weaken democratic accountability, even if non-renewable. Civil society groups, constitutional scholars and opposition lawmakers have pointed to term limits as a fundamental guardrail against overreach by executive office holders. In established democracies, term limits are often designed to balance continuity with regular leadership renewal and accountability to the electorate. This balance, they argue, can protect against the risks of entrenched leadership and weakened legislative oversight.
Under Nigerian law, any alteration to the presidential tenure must go through a constitutional amendment process. This process requires approval by two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly and subsequent ratification by two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state Houses of Assembly. Eze acknowledged that proposing a longer tenure was not a unilateral decision but one that demands transparent and broad-based national dialogue. He described his stance as an invitation for Nigerians to deliberate on whether an extended tenure could improve governance outcomes while preserving vital checks and balances.
Beyond the presidency, Eze has also emphasized the importance of civic responsibility and national values, urging citizens, journalists, educators, civil servants and parents to promote a culture of patriotism and constructive engagement in national issues. He has defended recent policy decisions by the federal government, including the removal of fuel subsidies, arguing that difficult economic reforms are necessary to avert fiscal collapse and secure long-term stability.
The proposal arrives amid broader ongoing discussions in the National Assembly related to constitutional review. While no formal bill has yet been introduced to amend the presidential tenure provisions, Eze’s comments contribute to an evolving dialogue on how Nigeria might reform its political architecture to better address developmental challenges. National Assembly leaders have previously indicated openness to constitutional dialogue on other governance issues such as state police, electoral reforms, and local government restructuring, underscoring an environment receptive to reform conversations.
Ebonyi residents and political stakeholders responded to the senator’s advocacy with a range of views. Some local constituents expressed support for a shift that might prioritize long-term project delivery and stability. Others questioned whether extended tenure without stronger accountability mechanisms could inadvertently erode democratic norms. The debate reflects broader national concerns about balancing effective governance, democratic integrity, and institutional resilience in a complex and evolving political landscape.
As Nigeria prepares for future electoral cycles, discussions around tenure reform and constitutional change are expected to persist. Eze’s proposal has reignited interest in exploring systemic reforms that transcend routine political contestation, encouraging citizens and lawmakers alike to examine the structural foundations of Nigerian democracy and the trade-offs inherent in possible constitutional transformations.
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