Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has revealed plans to champion a constitutional amendment that would introduce a single six-year tenure for presidents and state governors beginning after the 2027 general elections.
Bamidele said the proposal would rank among the first bills he intends to sponsor when a new National Assembly is inaugurated, stressing that the reform would allow elected leaders to concentrate fully on governance without the pressure of seeking re-election.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the lawmaker argued that the current two-term system often diverts the attention of officeholders from governance to political survival.
According to him, many elected officials spend a significant portion of their first four-year term strategising for a second mandate, a situation he believes undermines effective leadership and service delivery.
He maintained that a single six-year term would provide leaders with a clear mandate and sufficient time to implement policies and development programmes without being distracted by electoral considerations.
Bamidele said knowing that there would be no opportunity for re-election would encourage presidents and governors to maximise their tenure from the outset and focus on delivering results.
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The Senate Leader acknowledged that the proposal could generate debate and may not attract unanimous support, but insisted that lawmakers have a duty to initiate reforms aimed at improving the nation’s democratic process.
He noted that legislative institutions exist to review and update laws in line with changing realities, adding that no law should be considered permanent if there is a need for improvement.
The lawmaker further explained that the proposal remains his personal conviction and would be subjected to the legislative process, including scrutiny and debate by members of the National Assembly.
If passed, the bill would require amendments to relevant sections of the Constitution before it can take effect.
Nigeria currently operates a two-term system that allows presidents and governors to serve a maximum of eight years if re-elected after an initial four-year tenure.