The greatest distraction in the Nigerian polity,
is the politics of "2nd term".
Since the return to
democracy in 1999, Nigeria has been grappling with violence and malpractices
during general elections, partly owing to the desperation of political office
holders seeking a second term in office.
Although the Constitution allows for a second
term in office, just like it is the practice in most democracies around the
world, it is however putting Nigeria’s nascent democracy under a serious
strain.
Under the present arrangement, most elected
political office holders 'thread softly' in their first term in office because
they do not wish to step on toes. Certain decisions that need to be taken for
the betterment of the general populace are delayed till the second term in
office, when they would no longer require votes from anybody. Hence, those who
never get the opportunity to make it to second term in office deprive the
populace of the benefits of their 'suspended' best.
Typically, upon victory at the polls and the
taking of the oath of office, the governor/president spends the four years
thus:
1st YEAR: The first six months celebrating his
victory, settling down, appointing commissioners, special advisers, senior
special advisers, and familiarizing himself with office generally.
The following six months is spent on governance.
2nd YEAR: The second year is spent on
governance.
3rd YEAR: The first six months is spent on
governance.
The following six months is spent scheming and
laying the foundation for the second term campaign.
4th YEAR: The entire year is dominated with
grassroots politicking and campaigns for second term in office.
From the above analysis, we can deduce that of
the four years, just about two and a half years is spent on real governance,
while the rest is consumed by the second term virus.
Thus, if a single term non-renewable is
introduced, the time and funds wasted on the second term maneuverings will be
eliminated.
I therefore prescribe that elected officials
should be allowed a single term of six years as against the two terms of four
years each stipulated in the Constitution.
With this prescription,
we will spend less on elections and politicking and more time on governance
while electoral malpractices and violence caused by the desperation of elected
officials to remain in office would be reduced.
SECURITY VOTE ANTI- CORRUPTION COURTS
SECURITY VOTE ANTI- CORRUPTION COURTS
