Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali, has reignited the debate over Nigeria’s political structure, advocating for a six-year single term for the President and state governors. Speaking in Ifetedo, Osun State, during the inauguration of the remodeled Central Mosque a project he personally funded Ali didn’t hold back on his criticism of the current system and the politicians who perpetuate its dysfunction.
Ali argued that adopting a six-year single term would put an end to the self-serving ambitions of politicians who spend their first four years scheming for re-election rather than governing. According to him, knowing they have just one term would reduce the power struggles and political tension that often cripple governance. His point? A six-year tenure might force leaders to focus on actual governance instead of endless campaigning.
The legal luminary wasn’t done yet. He slammed the lack of character in governance. Ali pointed out that the Constitution already provides mechanisms to address bad leadership, such as impeachment.
In his words, “The system is self-cleansing, but only if we have character. Unfortunately, most of us don’t, and you need character for a system to work well.”
Ali’s statement is true, though, it’s not just about having laws, it’s about having people with the moral courage to uphold them. Without this, he argued, Nigerians should forget about achieving the elusive “Eldorado” of good governance.
While delivering this political sermon, Ali also touched on his philanthropic efforts, explaining why he financed the remodeling of the Central Mosque in Ifetedo. According to him, it was a response to a divine call. “What pushed me to remodel the central mosque is the call of Allah,” he said, urging Nigerians to invest in their communities and humanity. His philosophy? Once you’re gone, you can’t take your wealth with you, so it’s better to leave a legacy that benefits others. It’s a noble sentiment, but one can’t help but wonder if those words will resonate with Nigeria’s wealth-hoarding elites.
At the event, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, echoed Ali’s sentiments in his goodwill message. He urged the community to use the mosque not just for prayers but as a hub for developmental activities that uplift Islam and the society at large.
But let’s get back to the real question: does this six-year single term proposal have any legs? Ali might be onto something by suggesting a term limit that doesn’t involve re-election campaigns, but will it truly bring peace, or will it just breed a new crop of political leaders finding loopholes to extend their stay? After all, in a system where “character” is apparently in short supply, can we really expect leaders to not exploit yet another opportunity for personal gain?
Nigerians, over to you. Is this a genuine solution?
