Ozekhome, Adegboruwa disagree over single term for president, govs

PUNCH

A constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, and Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, have disagreed on the call for a constitutional review to allow a term or a six-year single term for the president and governors.

Ozekhome who reintroduced the call explained to Saturday PUNCH that “I believe that a six-year single presidential term has the advantage of mitigating (if not outright eliminating) what many regard as the damaging effect of the incumbency factor in our elections.”

He explained that it would improve access of all ethnic groups and religions to the highest elected executive positions and foster a greater sense of belonging.

“A single term has the potential of creating a level playing field. This is because it will eliminate the unfair advantage enjoyed by an incumbent in terms of access to the levers of power – particularly economic power (which is more often than not, derived from the public till or state resources),” he said.

Ozekhome, who acknowledged that a single term for the two elective offices would encourage political stability, declared that “a single term will encourage greater accountability and transparency during the one term in office. This is because the office holder knows full well that he either sinks or swims with his only available single term.”

However, Adegboruwa noted that the term of political office was not part of Nigeria’s leadership problem.

He called for a constitutional review to strengthen public institutions and empower them to hold leaders accountable.

“The challenge is with the leadership process and it is something that is common with African leaders. Some of them get to power and they are not willing to leave when their tenure is over.

“The problem is not about the term, but the allure, the benefits attached to the office of the president and governors are mindboggling when compared to other parts of the world.”

Adegboruwa pointed out that even if the term in office was reduced to a single term, some politicians would sabotage the system.