Former First Lady of Ondo State, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has thrown her weight behind the call for a single-term presidency in Nigeria, arguing that the current re-election structure weakens governance and shifts focus from service delivery to political survival.

Akeredolu, who aligned with former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, on the issue, said her support for a one-term presidency is longstanding and well documented in her public engagements, particularly on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

She stressed that the reform should not be limited to the presidency but extended to all tiers of government.

According to her, Nigeria’s political experience has shown that preparations for a second term often derail governance long before an administration reaches its midpoint.

The Ada Owere 1 noted that political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections have already overheated the atmosphere as far back as 2025, diverting attention from development and public welfare.

“Our lived experience confirms a hard truth: preparation for a second term routinely pushes governance into recession,” she said, warning that if the trend continues, 2026 risks becoming “a lost year” as political actors focus more on alliances and electoral calculations than on addressing citizens’ needs.

Akeredolu emphasized that national life does not pause for elections, noting that citizens will continue to seek healthcare, students will sit for WAEC and JAMB examinations, and families will grapple with economic and security realities regardless of political cycles.

“The real question is: at what cost does this permanent electioneering come to the Nigerian people?” she asked.
She argued that a single-term framework would promote discipline in governance by compelling leaders to prioritise legacy, institutional strengthening, and performance over popularity and personal political ambitions.

However, she acknowledged that adopting a single-term system would require careful planning and broad national consensus. She raised key issues for consideration, including the appropriate length of the term — whether four, five, or six years — the timing of the reform, and how to manage a transition without destabilising the political system.

“These are serious questions that demand national dialogue, constitutional clarity, and bipartisan honesty,” she said.

Akeredolu maintained that what must remain non-negotiable is the need to stop “mortgaging governance at the altar of re-election politics,” insisting that rethinking Nigeria’s political timelines has become an urgent step toward development, trust-building, and stronger institutions.
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