Senator Kenneth Eze (APC-Ebonyi) has sparked a national conversation by advocating for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s democratic structure, suggesting that the current two-term, four-year presidential cycle be replaced with a single 16-year tenure.
Senator Eze, who chairs the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, made the proposal on Monday during a press briefing at his country home in Ohigbo-Amagu, Ezza South Local Government Area. In a notable addition to the debate, the lawmaker suggested that such a policy transition could commence with the administration of President Bola Tinubu to ensure the “full maturation” of ongoing economic reforms.
The lawmaker contended that the four-year window is insufficient for meaningful governance, as political attention often shifts from administration to re-election by the third year of a term. He argued that starting this extended tenure with the current presidency would provide the stability needed to see current fiscal policies through to fruition.
“Every four years, we return to campaign mode,” Mr Eze explained. “By the third year, governance slows as attention shifts to re-election; that is why projects are abandoned and policies are not allowed to mature. It sounds controversial, but a single 16-year tenure, starting now, would allow policies to run their full course and stabilise the system.”
Senator Eze maintained that critical sectors, including power, infrastructure, and agriculture, require sustained commitment that transcends short political cycles. He pointed out that large-scale irrigation schemes, mechanised farming initiatives, and complex fiscal reforms demand a decade or more of consistent implementation to yield measurable impacts.
He further linked the need for stability to recent “unavoidable” economic measures, such as the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the Naira. “We were borrowing to pay salaries. That is not sustainable for any country; tough decisions are necessary to secure long-term stability,” he added.
Acknowledging the weight of his proposal, the Senator clarified that his suggestion is intended as a governance conversation rather than an assault on democratic principles. He called for a broader national dialogue to determine if an extended tenure could improve policy implementation while still preserving essential checks and balances.
However, he noted that any such radical shift would require rigorous legal procedures, including:
Approval by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.
Ratification by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly.
A transparent and participatory public hearing process.
Beyond structural changes, Senator Eze challenged Nigerians to embrace a renewed sense of patriotism. He urged journalists, educators, and civil servants to promote national values, asserting that policy shifts alone—regardless of tenure length—cannot transform the nation without a corresponding change in civic attitude.
Leave a comment