TWO TERMS ARE CONSTITUTIONAL: TINUBU DESERVES HIS SECOND TERM.
By: Barr. Utum Eteng
Leadership is not a sprint. It is a journey. One that requires vision, courage, and time. As Nigeria pushes forward in her democratic journey, it is important for us, the citizens, to reflect on the direction of our country and the quality of leadership guiding it. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in just over a year in office, has shown boldness, clarity, and a deep commitment to laying a new foundation for Nigeria. And for these reasons, he deserves a second term.
This is not about politics. It is about progress. It is about giving time and support to the leader who is not afraid to take hard decisions for the sake of tomorrow.
The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides every elected President with the opportunity to serve two terms of four years each. That is a total of eight years, not one. It is a constitutional right not a favour and should be respected for every President who earns the people’s mandate.
Both President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Muhammadu Buhari served two full terms, totaling 16 years. This was not questioned because it is the lawful path. Now, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after just one year of hard work and reform, deserves the same opportunity to continue his work and complete the leadership cycle guaranteed by law.
If we respected this rule for Obasanjo and Buhari, why should Tinubu be different? Our democracy must be consistent and fair.
Though not written in the Constitution, Nigeria has adopted a respected principle of rotational presidency between the North and the South. This understanding has helped preserve peace, unity, and national balance since 1999.
• Obasanjo from the South (1999–2007)
• Yar’Adua from the North (2007–2010)
• Jonathan from the South (2010–2015)
• Buhari from the North (2015–2023)
Now that President Tinubu from the South is in office, it is only fair and just that the South is allowed to complete its own 8-year cycle, just as the North did under Buhari.
To cut Tinubu short after just one term would be a breach of this national understanding and could stir political tension. In a country as diverse as Nigeria, fairness is not optional. It is essential.
When Tinubu became President, he inherited a fragile economy, weak institutions, and a country struggling under a failed fuel subsidy system. This system had drained trillions from government revenue, encouraged corruption, and brought more suffering to the poor than relief.
Instead of playing politics, President Tinubu did the unthinkable: he removed the fuel subsidy on his very first day in office. It was a bold and unpopular decision but it was the right one.
Yes, Nigerians felt the initial shock. But it was a necessary pain to end years of deceit and economic waste. Today:
• There is no more fuel scarcity, unlike in previous years.
• Fuel prices are beginning to stabilize and come down due to market competition.
• The money saved from subsidy is now being used for infrastructure, transportation, housing, and palliatives for the poor.
This is leadership. This is courage. And bold reform like this needs time to yield full results.
President Tinubu didn’t just stop at subsidy removal. His administration has:
• Unified the exchange rate, boosting investor confidence and reducing black-market pressure.
• Repositioned the Central Bank of Nigeria with professionals who are now fighting inflation and strengthening the naira.
• Attracted new investments, increased oil revenues, and introduced tax reforms to make the economy more stable.
Rebuilding a damaged economy takes time. No responsible leader promises overnight miracles. But Tinubu has shown he knows what needs to be done, and he’s doing it, step by step.
A second term would give him the chance to consolidate these gains, fix what remains broken, and expand Nigeria’s growth into rural and urban commcommunities
Nigerians are no strangers to insecurity, especially in the North and some par
[8/2, 2:04 PM] Nigeria Daily Post: Nigerians are no strangers to insecurity, especially in the North and some parts of the South. But under Tinubu:
•• New service chiefs have been appointed with a mandate for intelligence-based operations.
•• Support to the military has increased.
•• The Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund has been launched to accelerate roads, railways, and power projects across all zones.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the expansion of power supply, and renewed investments in housing and urban renewal show that Tinubu is not sleeping. He is building a long-term future.
President Tinubu has proven he is not a sectional leader. His appointments reflect diversity. His policies target national interest, not personal gain. His diplomacy on the global stage is improving Nigeria’s image.
Above all, he has shown the emotional intelligence and maturity required to lead a complex country like Nigeria. He listens. He adjusts. He works hard. He leads by example.
No builder starts a house and stops halfway. No farmer plants a seed and uproots it too soon. Tinubu’s first term is about planting, stabilizing, and laying the foundation. His second term will be about building, consolidating, and delivering on a national scale.
To remove him now is to abandon the reforms, create confusion, and set Nigeria back again. We must not go backward.
In truth, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not had it easy. But no true reformer ever does. He has taken hard steps, faced public pressure, and chosen principle over popularity. That is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs.
We cannot afford to change direction every four years. We must give good leadership time to work.
Let Tinubu continue. Let him finish what he started. Let us support his second term not just for him, but for the future of our country.
Nigeria is rising again. Let’s not stop the movement halfway. Tinubu deserves a second term.
