Olanipekun backs six-year single term for President, governor

A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN),yesterday expressed support for the ongoing constitution review, proposing a six-year single term for the president.

A Bill on the President’s proposed tenure was sponsored by the member representing the Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, and 33 others.

But it was rejected by House of Representative two weeks ago.

Despite the rejection, the 34 lawmakers have vowed to consult with other stakeholders to reintroduce it in the future.

Olanipekun said the six-year single term proposal was first suggested by the NBA in 2022 when he was the association’s president, but it was rejected outright by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The ex-NBA president said this while addressing reporters at Ikere-Ekiti in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State during the 28th scholarship award scheme and the fifth empowerment programme of Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme.

He said NBA’s suggestion was more realistic than the current template, stressing that if the template had been adopted, the country would have witnessed accelerated progress.

Olanipekun explained that the six-year single term was proposed to stabilise the country’s system of government and avert the crisis among geopolitical zones on the presidential seat.

He said: “When I was the president of NBA in 2002-2004, we originated it. It was one of the proposals we brought to Obasanjo as president, but he rejected it.

“We suggested that since there are six geo-political zones in Nigeria, if the President comes from the Southwest, there will be six Vice Presidents but those VPs must have a portfolio, like the Ministry of Justice, Education, Defence, FCT, Works.

“A geopolitical zone that has a Vice President of Education will not have a Minister of Education. We read it out to him. In case the president of a geo-political zone – whether impeached or dies in office – the Vice President from his geo-political zone will complete his tenure.

“We would have stabilised the system, but it didn’t work out. I am still of the view that we have to do something about the constitution; we have to look into it. The (current) constitution, to me, is not federal; it does not reflect what we have on the ground as people of Nigeria, as the context of Nigeria.

“We should have a constitution that is homegrown. No constitution is perfect, but we can’t be going on with an imperfect constitution. It’s just a house with no good foundation. Something has to be done to it.”

Olanipekun said the empowerment programme was his way of giving back to the society and uplifting those in need in reflection of his belief in sharing blessings with others.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji described Olanipekun as a legend and a blessing to Ekiti and humanity.

The governor said the eminent lawyer is a pillar of support for the state and a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

He also described Olanipekun as a leader who derives joy in putting smiles on the faces of the downtrodden.

Oyebanji acknowledged that the lawyer’s foundation had given scholarship to over 3,019 students across the country and empowered 500 the aged and widows as well as 550 youths in entrepreneurship.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote development and empower the people.

He urged other privileged Nigerians to emulate Olanipekun’s spirit of service and dedication to humanity.

“You are a gift not only to Ikere, not to Ekiti State alone, not to Nigeria alone, but to humanity. Thank you for being a selfless leader; thank you for your love for your people and thank you for always identifying with them.

“What chief is doing in Ikere, Ekiti State, Nigeria, and globally speaks to a man that loves God, a man that wants to share his blessings with the less privileged. I commend him and his family for the support,” Oyebanji said.

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