Senate Considers Six-Year Single Term for Nigerian Presidents, Governors — Bamidele

Fresh debate over Nigeria’s political structure may soon return to the National Assembly after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele revealed plans to push for a constitutional amendment introducing a single six-year term for presidents and state governors.

Bamidele made the disclosure on Tuesday during plenary at the Senate, saying the proposal is aimed at improving governance and reducing the distractions that come with re-election campaigns.

According to the Senate Leader, elected leaders often spend a significant portion of their first term preparing for a second-term battle instead of focusing fully on governance.

He argued that a single tenure system would allow presidents and governors to concentrate on delivering results from their first day in office without political pressure tied to re-election ambitions.

“I now see why one of the first set of bills that I look forward to moving by God’s grace when we come back for the 11th Senate is for a bill that will only make it possible for anyone who wants to be President of this country or governor in any state of this country to spend only one tenure of six years,” Bamidele said.

The lawmaker explained that the current two-term arrangement often pushes politicians into early campaign mode shortly after assuming office.

“With this, you don’t even have to worry about wasting almost one and a half years of your first tenure thinking and struggling and looking forward to how you’ll be re-elected,” he added.

Bamidele maintained that a guaranteed six-year tenure would encourage leaders to focus entirely on governance and legacy projects, knowing they have only one opportunity to serve.

“If you know you are there for six years, only one tenure, you put in your best from day one. You know this is the only chance that you have,” he stated.

The Senate Leader, however, acknowledged that the proposal could generate mixed reactions across political circles and among Nigerians.

“That’s my opinion. It doesn’t mean everybody will agree with me, but it also does not mean that I am prevented from doing that because that had not been the law,” he said.

He further defended the idea of constitutional reforms, stressing that laws must evolve with changing political realities and national needs.

“The essence of law, the essence of parliament is because laws are like human beings, they grow,” Bamidele noted.

The proposal is expected to spark nationwide discussions, especially as Nigeria continues conversations around electoral reforms, governance efficiency, and constitutional amendments ahead of the 2027 general elections.