By Our Correspondent
National News – The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has said many Nigerians may eventually demand a constitutional amendment to allow Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain in office beyond the current two-term limit.
The monarch made the remark on Sunday while congratulating the President on his 74th birthday, praising Tinubu’s leadership and reform policies since assuming office in May 2023.
Speaking through his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, the traditional ruler said Tinubu’s leadership style and economic decisions could lead citizens to push for constitutional changes if they believe his reforms are beneficial.
According to him, such a move would only be possible through an amendment of Nigeria’s Constitution, which currently limits presidents to two four-year terms.
The Oluwo commended Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting that decisive policies such as the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange unification and efforts to boost oil production were aimed at stabilising the country’s economy.
He added that the President’s willingness to implement tough policies had begun to produce visible results.
Highlighting the what and why behind his remarks, the monarch pointed to improvements in Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which he said had grown significantly in recent months.
He also cited increased allocations to states, the push for local government autonomy and ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Road, as examples of progress under the administration.
On how such an extension could happen, the monarch explained that any attempt to allow a third presidential term would require a constitutional amendment approved by the National Assembly and ratified by state legislatures across the country.
Tinubu, who became Nigeria’s president on May 29, 2023, marked his 74th birthday with a low-key celebration due to the country’s economic challenges.
Despite the difficulties, several political leaders and stakeholders have continued to commend his reform agenda and describe him as a courageous leader working to reposition Nigeria’s economy.
The Oluwo maintained that only leaders willing to make difficult decisions could overcome structural economic challenges, adding that the coming years would determine the full impact of the administration’s reforms on the nation’s stability and growth.
