A strong push has been advocated for the abolition of the current political system, which grants the president and governors renewable four-year terms.
Instead, a single term of five years for heads of government at the national and subnational level has been suggested.
This was the submission made by a former Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi, while speaking on the popular monthly interview discourse, Boiling Point Arena, on Sunday night.
The topic of discourse was “The Nigerian Socio-Political and Economic Quagmire: What are the Rescue Options?”
The current affairs programme, which was held via Zoom and broadcast live on a radio station, Sweet 107.1FM, was hosted by a media professional and public relations strategist, Dr. Ayo Arowojolu.
Foremost traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom in Abeokuta, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, was the keynote speaker during the programme which also featured another guest speaker, Prof. Wùnmi Iledare, an expert on petroleum economics.
Contributing to the discourse on the rescue Nigeria from the brinks of collapse, Jokosenumi said some greedy members of the political class in the country have capitalized on loopholes in the Nigerian Constitution to live large on the resources of the nation to the extent that once voted into power, they amass stupendous wealth and perpetuate themselves in the corridor of power for too long at the expense of others.
Jokosenumi said: “We must look at our political system and the processes of choosing our leaders. The strongest recommendation I want to make is a single term of five years for everyone at the national and subnational level.
“One term for everybody, whether as president or governor. The crazy idea about two terms must die. We don’t need it. Because the average time of existence here in Nigeria is between age 55 and 60.
“A lot of our political leaders have been living on government for upward of 20 years and more. They will serve as governors for eight years, and they will go to the Senate and have endless terms there.
“This is the only country in the world where politicians, after becoming governors and senators, shamelessly lobby to become ministers.
“What are they looking for? How many years do they want to occupy office? They should give other people the opportunity to serve. One single term is enough.
“Once they are sworn into office, they stop real governance in the second year. Next is to steal money for the upcoming election and come and rub it on our faces.”
Jokosenumi said the current crop of leaders in the country required the requisite skills to unleash governance that ensures real development, stating that there was a need to revisit the nation’s political foundation.
He urged Nigerians to challenge the political class and insist that major amendments and reforms must be made to the current constitution to ensure a change in the narratives come the 2027 election.
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