Ekweremadu drums support for six-year single tenure for elective officers

THE Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has called for the adoption of a six-year single tenure for President, governors, National Assembly and state assembly members so as to stop the problems that arise from the quest for second term by politicians.

Ekweremadu made the call in Nsukka on Friday at the 3rd Adada Lecture, organised by the Association of Nsukka Professors. The lecture was themed ‘Restructuring and the Nigerian Youth.’

Ekweremadu noted that countries in South America used single tenure to stabilise their democracy, adding that one of such countries, Mexico, was still practising single term for the office of the President.

In his words, “single presidency tenure of six years that rotates among the six geopolitical regions would promote unity and loyalty to the nation.”

The lawmaker further emphasized the need to restructure the county to enable regions to harness their resources outside oil.

“The market for crude oil is reducing by the day as countries like Britain and France now have laws that will ban the use of diesel and petrol cars by 2040. Also, many countries have started using electric cars.”

While urging youths in the country to close ranks and support restructuring as it would create employment and guarantee a better future for them, Ekweremadu explained that restructuring would not divide the country as being feared by some people, but would rather strengthen the nation.

He identified ethnic and religious sentiments, ignorance and fear of the unknown as some of the factors preventing some people from accepting restructuring.