Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called for a single term of six years for elected political office holders in Nigeria, arguing it would promote better governance by eliminating the distractions that come with re-election campaigns.
He made the remark on Friday in Ibadan, shortly after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers. A delegation of Muslim faithful and political stakeholders, including his deputy, Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, visited the governor’s residence to celebrate the Islamic festival.
Also present were former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman Taofeek Arapaja, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Hamid Gbadamosi, House of Representatives member Abass Adigun (Agboworin), and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawodu Makanjuola.
During the visit, Governor Makinde emphasized the need for political reforms, stating that a longer single term would allow elected officials to concentrate fully on delivering results without being distracted by the politics of seeking re-election.
“In my opinion, a single term of five or six years is sufficient for any government to perform effectively,” Makinde said. “We need to remove distractions and focus on serving the people. If that means ending the current two-term system, so be it.”
Makinde clarified that his proposal is not self-serving, stressing that it is based on performance data and the broader interest of governance improvement across the country.
His comment adds to ongoing national conversations about political reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and improving leadership accountability
