By Helen Ovbiagele,

From the responses we got from our readers, it was obvious that many Nigerians were not at all impressed that the present administration are considering tenure elongation, in whatever form or nature.   They feel, and rightly so, that that’s the least of our priorities.

‘Madam Helen, I agree totally with you that even discussing tenure of government is an unholy distraction in our country at this point in time.  What are our leaders thinking of?  Also, like you, I had a lot of faith in many of those who’ve just come on board to rule us.

I was quite sure that within a few months we would begin to see the positive steps they’re taking to improve the lives of Nigerians.  For them to start with how long a government should stay in power doesn’t show that they know why they’re in power.  I just hope that sanity will reign and they will get to grips with the REAL problems that we face, and that need to be addressed urgently.  Thanks.   Rosalind,  Lagos.’

‘Aunt Helen, thanks for your write-up on tenure elongation.  Please don’t be disappointed.  Politicians cannot be trusted, especially in these parts of the world.  Imagine that this is the first bill to be sent to the National Assembly within three months of their assuming office.  As if that is the most serious problem confronting the nation.  –  Sagay,  Benin City.’

‘Dear Helen, Thanks for yesterday’s article on tenure elongation.  Just my thoughts and those of many Nigerians, I’m sure.  We continue to pray that our President and other leaders in the country will allow God to lead them in wisdom.   –   Regina.’

‘Madam, I was surprised to read on your page that you had a lot of hope in the current leaders and rulers in Nigeria.  Granted that there may be some serious ones who may want to do some concrete things to improve our lives, but the truth is that  there will always be the Nigerian factor, which stands in the way of good governance in this country.  Selfishness and greed somehow seem to always find their way into the character of most people once they get to the seat of power.  How can you be thinking at all of tenure elongation for government, where almost every day, we read or hear of young Nigerians who commit suicide because life in this country holds no hope for them.  Thousands graduated from our higher institutions several years ago and they’re still pounding the streets, looking for jobs which are not there for the masses.  What a shame!     Paula,  Ibadan.’

‘We thank God for the press people who bring these things out.  Our rulers believe that they can cover our eyes with a thick cloth while they quietly pass bills which would benefit the politicians and worsen the lives of Nigerians.  What has the elongation of tenure to do with solving the problems we have in this country?  If a serious-minded person who has the interests of the nation at the forefront of his heart is given just two years in office, he can achieve a lot if he’s focused.  There’s no way all problems can be solved within the tenure of  any government.

This is because nothing can be fixed once and forever.  You have to keep repairing and rehabilitating roads; you have to keep providing good healthcare, education, and social services for the nation.  You have to keep creating jobs.  Activities of government should dovetail from one administration to the other.  There would be continuity.  That’s what happens in people-friendly countries, not the open and shut policies we have here.  You start a good project, and if it isn’t possible for you to complete it, the next administration would complete it.  It would be seen by all that you initiated the project.  –  Ayokun,   Ilesha.’

‘Whether or not the current administration will benefit from a term of six years in power or not, this is not a priority with us now.  We don’t need it.  President Jonathan must not disappoint those who believe he can perform.  He has the wisdom to perform if he doesn’t allow saboteurs to take his focus off his goals.  He should know that at the end of the day, he’s the one who would be blamed for non-performance; not those who are trying to create these unpopular/unproductive  distractions .  –  Thanks, Ifeanyi, Enugu.’

‘Aunty Helen, good day.  With regards to ‘Tenure Issue. Do we need this distraction?’, the president must not allow himself to be seen as a ruler who will allow people to toss him here and there.  He must not allow people to hijack his government and do what they like with it.  Let him focus on his own goals.

Tenure elongation shouldn’t be one of them. –  from Celestine, mnse.’

‘Madam, I am greatly disappointed that Goodluck Jonathan has called for tenure elongation for the president and governors, to a single term of six years, and even the tenure of legislators to be extended equally, instead of calling that we go back to the less expensive parliamentary system of government.

He should rather hit the ground running by tackling with the utmost urgency, the general insecurity of lives and property, the daily power outages,  the teeming youth unemployment, bad roads, poor health facilities, falling standard of education, the endemic corruption and the blatant looting of government coffers in both high and low places, that have resulted in the stunted growth of our country, with dilapidated infrastructures.   –  Ifeka Okonkwo.’

‘Madam, let us put a lid on the tenure issue, whatever the length our rulers have in mind.  Let’s concentrate on  joining together to solve the myriads of problems in this country.  When we attain the status of  ‘developed’ country, we can then re-visit it.  We may want to adopt a single term of seven years then.  Frequent elections do sap a lot of  time, energy and much money, not to mention the nerve-racking tension which leads to violence, and  which has become a part of elections held in this country.

It isn’t a forbidden topic, but let’s not take it now.  –   Henry,  Lagos Island.’

We thank all those who sent in their views.