The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has set the stage for a major constitutional debate in the next legislative dispensation, disclosing plans to sponsor a bill that would introduce a single six-year tenure for the President and State Governors.
Speaking with journalists in his office on Tuesday, Bamidele revealed that the proposed legislation would be a priority item upon the inauguration of the 11th Senate, following the 2027 general elections. The lawmaker argued that the current two-term arrangement, while democratic, often forces elected leaders to prioritize political survival over substantive governance.
Bamidele noted that the current four-year renewable term creates a cycle of perpetual campaigning. According to him, officeholders often spend the first half of their initial term settling into office and the second half focused on the political machinations required to secure a second term.
“One of the first set of bills that I look forward to moving, by God’s grace, when we come back for the 11th Senate, is for a bill that will only make it possible for anyone who wants to be president of this country, or governor in any part of this country, to spend only one term of six years,” the Senate Leader stated.
He maintained that a single, non-renewable window would compel leaders to hit the ground running. “If you know you are there for six years—only one tenure—you put in your best from day one. You know this is the only chance you have. You don’t have to worry about wasting almost one and a half years of your first term thinking, struggling, and looking forward to how you’ll be re-elected,” he added.
Acknowledging that the proposal is bound to stir mixed reactions across the political spectrum, Bamidele emphasized that the beauty of the legislature lies in its ability to debate and evolve. He likened the law to a living organism that must adapt to the shifting needs of the society it serves.
“That’s my opinion. It doesn’t mean everybody will agree with me. But the essence of parliament is that laws are like human beings; they grow. We have a responsibility to initiate reforms we believe will strengthen the administrative fabric of our nation,” Bamidele said.
**The Path to Constitutional Amendment**
The proposal comes at a time when many Nigerians are questioning the high cost of conducting general elections every four years. Proponents of the single-tenure model argue it would significantly reduce the financial burden on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and minimize the “do-or-die” desperation often associated with second-term bids.
However, the road to such a change remains rigorous. For the bill to become law, it must pass through a comprehensive constitutional amendment process, requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, followed by approval from at least 24 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
By situating the commencement of this bill in the 11th Senate—after the 2027 polls—Bamidele appears to be distancing the move from the current administration’s immediate political cycle, framing it instead as a long-term structural reform for the Nigerian federation.
As the 10th National Assembly continues its current constitutional review exercise, Bamidele’s remarks suggest that the debate over tenure limits will remain a central pillar of Nigeria’s democratic evolution for years to come.
