2027: Agitation For Single Tenure Unconstitutional, Unacceptable – Ohanaeze

The Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has described the clamor in some quarters, for a single term in office for the President of the State Federal Republic of Nigeria, as unconstitutional and unacceptable.

The Igbo group, which explained that the position of the President was rooted in the principles of fairness, equity, and the advancement of democratic ideals noted that the framework of a two-term maximum tenure for the office of the President and State Governors was enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to the group, “considering historical context, it would be a monumental injustice, both in the eyes of God and of humanity, if, upon the eventual election of an Igbo person to the Presidency under democratic auspices, that individual were to voluntarily limit their tenure to a single term of four years.”

Disclosing this in a statement, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who acknowledged that an Igbo Presidency was a legitimate and achievable, emphasized that it was not feasible in 2027.

The statement read in part: “Therefore, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is compelled to address the Nigerian populace with the utmost candor, delivering an unvarnished truth and an uncomfortable message. It is a historical fact that since 1966, when Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi briefly held the position of Military Head of State for a mere six months, an Igbo person has not headed the Federal Government. While Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe served as a ceremonial President from 1963 to 1966, he held no executive powers.

“The organization believes that any individual currently advocating for a single-term Presidency is either driven by desperation, engaged in deceptive tactics, or employing cunning strategies for their own personal gain. Such an individual likely harbors ulterior motives.

“Ohanaeze recognizes that political aspirants are entitled to utilize various strategies to garner public support. However, we implore the Nigerian electorate to pose critical questions to those espousing the single-term Presidency concept. Specifically: If the Presidential Aspirant is proposing a single term in 2027, what is the fate of the only Governor under the same political party?

“Will this Governor, in deference to the proposed single-term principle, relinquish power in 2027 after a single term in office? Or, will the Governor seek re-election, thus exposing the hypocrisy inherent in the single-term proposition? Furthermore, what of the National Assembly members under the same party – are they also prepared to forgo re-election in 2027 to align with the single-term agenda?

“Should the answer to these crucial questions be affirmative – that the Governor intends to seek re-election – then Nigerians must unequivocally recognize that the proponent of this single-term Presidency in 2027 is employing a campaign strategy built upon falsehood, deception, and a fundamental lack of sincerity. It is a strategy doomed to fail.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo firmly advocates for an Igbo Presidency, but not at the cost of compromising the principles of democratic governance. The organization supports a two-term Presidency for any Igbo person who is eventually elected. Any individual advancing the single-term Presidency concept therefore lacks the endorsement of Ndigbo. Such a Presidential Aspirant, on moral grounds, has effectively disqualified themselves from the 2027 presidential election.

“Those who promote the concept of a one-term presidency must demonstrate consistency within their own political party. They should present concrete examples of one-term Governors, one-term Senators, and one-term members of the House of Representatives to prove the sincerity of their commitment to this idea.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo categorically rejects the notion of a one-term Presidency, deeming it a deceptive and immature concept, a product of the delusional mindset of unserious presidential aspirants.”