The Senate has hinted at the possibility of amending the Nigerian Constitution after the 2027 general elections to ensure that presidents and governors spend no more than six years in office.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele made this known during a media chat on Monday, June 8. He said he hopes to pursue the constitutional amendment when the 11th National Assembly resumes.
Bamidele explained that if re-elected to the Senate in 2027, one of the first bills he intends to sponsor would seek to introduce a single six-year term for presidents and governors.
He said:
“One of the first sets of bills that I look forward to moving, by God’s grace when we come back for the 11th Senate, is a bill that will only make it possible for anyone who wants to be president or governor in any state to spend one tenure of six years.”
His proposal has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians.
Federal Knowledge argued that the idea was not in the country’s best interest: “The idea behind this isn’t service to the country or state but sharing arrangement. Never proposing acts to remove the immunity clause and doing away with security vote.”
Oluwaseun suggested that lawmakers should also be subjected to a single term: “The senate themselves should be considering that! They have turned it to a retirement home. We need new ideas in the senate.”
Ihéanāchó Odenigbo described the proposal as political manoeuvring: “Smart people. So after Tinubu, others should do one term of six years. Same thing GEJ proposed in 2014 and APC refused.”
Ómó Ịtá Ọoduą claimed President Tinubu would not secure a second term: “Tinubu is a one-time president of Nigeria. Anyone hoping to bring Asiwaju back in 2027 is daydreaming.”
Another commentator, Opeyemi Musibau, suggested the move could favour the current administration: “In summary Tinubu will use 4+6 = 10. I see this as a scheme to keep APC there further.”
