Senate Leader Plans Single 6-year Tenure Bill For President, Govs

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has revealed plans to sponsor a constitutional amendment bill seeking to introduce a single six-year tenure for presidents and governors in Nigeria after the 2027 general elections.

Senator Bamidele said the proposed legislation would be among the first bills he intends to introduce in the 11th Senate, arguing that a single term would allow elected leaders to concentrate fully on governance rather than spending valuable time pursuing re-election.

The Senate Leader made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in his office in Abuja on Tuesday as part of activities marking the third anniversary of the 10th Senate.

According to him, the current constitutional arrangement, which allows presidents and governors to serve two four-year terms, often compels officeholders to begin strategising for re-election shortly after assuming office.

“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, God willing, is a bill that will make it possible for anyone who wants to be president of this country, or governor in any part of this country, to serve only one term of six years,” he said.

He argued that the existing system creates unnecessary distractions and reduces the amount of time available for effective governance.

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

“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.”

Bamidele maintained that a single six-year tenure would encourage leaders to focus on delivering results throughout their time in office rather than engaging in political calculations aimed at securing a second term.

While acknowledging that the proposal may generate debate and opposition, he insisted that lawmakers have a duty to put forward ideas and reforms they believe would strengthen governance and deepen democracy.

“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 has not been the law,” he said.

The Senate Leader further noted that laws and constitutional provisions must evolve to meet emerging realities and the changing needs of society.

“The essence of law, the essence of parliament, is that laws are like human beings; they grow,” he added.

Bamidele expressed optimism that the proposal would stimulate a broader national conversation on governance reforms and political stability.

If eventually introduced and passed by the National Assembly, the proposal would require amendments to relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and approval by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before it can become law.