Senator Kenneth Eze (APC-Ebonyi) has called for a nationwide debate on replacing Nigeria’s current two-term, four-year presidential cycle with a single, uninterrupted 16-year tenure.
Mr. Eze, chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, made the proposal on Monday while speaking with journalists at his country home in Ezza South Local Government Area.
He argued that frequent elections disrupt policy continuity and hinder national development.
“Every four years, we return to campaign mode. 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,” he said.
Nigeria’s constitution currently provides for a four-year presidential term, renewable once.
Mr. Eze proposed scrapping the two-term structure in favour of one extended tenure, saying it would free leaders from electoral pressures and allow for long-term policy implementation.
He emphasized that sectors such as power, infrastructure, agriculture, and fiscal reform require sustained attention.
“Irrigation schemes, mechanized farming programs, and energy reforms demand continuity to yield measurable impact,” he said.
He defended recent economic decisions, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, as necessary to prevent fiscal collapse.
Mr. Eze stressed that his proposal is meant to spark a governance discussion, not undermine democracy.
He called for a broader constitutional dialogue involving the National Assembly, state legislatures, and citizens to evaluate whether an extended tenure could enhance policy implementation while preserving checks and balances.
Beyond tenure reform, the senator urged Nigerians to embrace civic responsibility and patriotism, challenging journalists, teachers, civil servants, and parents to uphold national values.
