Peter Obi Pushes for One-Term Presidency
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has proposed that Nigeria adopt a single five-year term for the office of the president.
Obi made the suggestion during a visit to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed at the Government House in Bauchi on Friday.
Reasoning Behind the Proposal
Obi argued that the current two-term system encourages presidents to prioritize re-election campaigns over governance.
“If I have the opportunity, we should stop having a second tenure for presidents. It should be five years. That is what is in South Korea, so people come in and know they have a job to do,” Obi said.
He stressed that a single term would make presidents more focused and accountable within their limited time in office.
Criticism of the Current System
Obi noted that under the existing arrangement, most presidents spend the first year settling into office and then shift their attention to re-election strategies for much of their remaining time, leaving less room for impactful governance.
“What people do now is to be president for one year and use the rest of the year thinking about the next tenure. Let’s stop it, let’s face the real job,” he added.
South Korea’s Model as Inspiration
Obi referenced South Korea’s political system, where presidents are elected for a single non-renewable five-year term, saying Nigeria could benefit from adopting a similar model to reduce distractions and promote effective governance.
