Bago pushes for single term, state police

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago. Credit: State House

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The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has called for a single term for elective and political appointees, saying it would eliminate laziness among politicians.

Bago made the call on Friday during the inauguration of newly nominated commissioners and elected Chairmen and vice chairmen of local government areas.

He pointed out that he would have sacked some of the appointees, but he had to defer the action to his second term in office, stressing that he would have been more decisive.

“I am an advocate of a single term of governance. Everything in Nigeria is now being tied to politics. It’s unfortunate. There are things I would have done today, but I am deferring them to after the election.

“I want to sack some people who are not working, but I cannot, because of after election. They have failed their exams severally, and could not be promoted, but they are a burden on the system.

“If I had a single term, I would have been more decisive than where I am today. Some special advisers, board directors and so many other people would have done their best because they have just one shot in governance.

“Everybody is procrastinating about tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. When is tomorrow? Our tomorrow is today,” Bago said.

The governor also called for State police and community policing, saying that society would be a safer place than the centralised system of policing the country presently.

“State Police is a reality. We need to have community policing for social justice,” he said.

Nigeria currently operates a two-term system for elected executives, including the President and state governors, with each term lasting four years. The system for most appointed positions is flexible, often tied to the executive’s tenure.

The proposal for a single term, often five, six, or seven years, is not new in Nigeria. Advocates, like Governor Bago, argue it would reduce distraction by eliminating the pressure and massive resources spent on seeking re-election, allowing the officeholder to focus entirely on governance among others.

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