Former Abia State Governor and current Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged the National Assembly to amend Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to introduce a six-year single term for the President and state governors.
According to Kalu, the proposal aims to reduce political tension, promote stability, and ensure that elected leaders concentrate on governance rather than continuous politicking and re-election battles.
“In my personal opinion, I appeal to my colleagues in the committee chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jubril Barau, and to members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives led by Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to support a six-year single tenure,” he said.
“People spend most of their first term preparing for re-election. With a single six-year tenure, there will be no distractions or infighting, and leaders can devote their full time to serving Nigerians.”
Kalu emphasized that a single-term structure would also help combat corruption and foster accountability in public service.
“Many people in government rush to amass wealth to fund their second-term ambitions. This reform would stop that and allow leaders to focus on improving citizens’ welfare,” he added.
The senator explained that his proposal is rooted in Nigeria’s unique socio-economic circumstances, not a desire to replicate Western political systems.
“We must tailor our Constitution to fit our environment. The American model doesn’t suit our economic realities. A six-year single term will build confidence in our democracy,” Kalu stated.
He argued that Nigeria’s political system currently burdens the economy, as officials often divert resources toward sustaining second-term campaigns.
Kalu suggested that the new system could be implemented from either 2027 or 2031, depending on when the National Assembly reaches a consensus.
“It doesn’t matter whether it starts in 2027 or 2031. What matters is that it’s for the good of Nigerians. Even current governors can run for a six-year single term once it begins,” he said.
The senator stressed that his call was not politically motivated but driven by a desire to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
“I’m not doing this for personal gain. Nigerians deserve a system that truly works for them. I’ll always speak the truth, no matter the criticism,” he asserted.
Kalu also reiterated his confidence in Nigerian institutions, praising the country’s journalists and judiciary as the best in Africa.
The debate over a single tenure for executive leaders is not new. In 2011, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration proposed a similar idea, though it was met with resistance and eventually abandoned. Supporters of the reform believe it would lower the cost of elections, reduce political tension, and prevent incumbents from manipulating the system to retain power.
Critics, however, argue that it could deny citizens the right to renew the mandate of effective leaders.
Kalu, a member of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review and Amendment, made his renewed appeal in a video message shared on his Facebook page on Sunday, October 19, 2025, reaffirming his belief that a six-year single term is essential for Nigeria’s political and economic stability.
