The traditional ruler of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has proposed that some Nigerians may lobby for a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to serve a third term. The Oluwo made the statement in a birthday message to the president, commending his leadership and citing economic improvements under his administration.
In the message released by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, the monarch described President Tinubu as a decisive leader who has laid a new foundation for Nigeria. “Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” the Oluwo stated.
The suggestion directly challenges Nigeria’s constitutional two-term limit for the presidency. The Oluwo justified his position by pointing to what he called measurable economic progress. He attributed gains such as a stronger naira and a significant rise in foreign reserves—from approximately $1 billion to between $49.5 billion and $50.45 billion according to recent data—to the current government’s key reforms. These reforms include exchange rate unification, increased oil production, and higher foreign investment inflows.
The Oluwo also praised the administration’s firm stance against practices that previously hindered economic growth. His comments frame the economic narrative as a reason to extend Tinubu’s tenure, a view that is not widely held across the political spectrum. Any move to amend the constitution to remove term limits would require a complex process involving both national and state legislative approvals and is widely considered highly contentious.
While the monarch’s proposal aligns with praise from some supporters, it contrasts with the general expectation that Tinubu will serve only the two terms permitted by law. The statement is likely to fuel debate about the president’s legacy and the future of Nigeria’s democratic structures, even as the administration continues to promote its economic policies.
