A fresh debate is sweeping across Nigeria concerning the tenure of the President and governors, following a proposal by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to replace the current system with a single six-year term[cite: 17]. While the lawmaker argues that this would eliminate re-election pressures and allow leaders to focus on governance, former presidential candidate Peter Ameh has issued a stern warning, asserting that such a move could ultimately “worsen corruption”[cite: 17].....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Bamidele announced plans to sponsor a constitutional amendment bill in the 11th National Assembly to institute this change post-2027[cite: 17]. He contended that the current two-term, four-year system forces incumbents to waste valuable time and resources preparing for re-election battles[cite: 17].

“If you know you are there for six years, only one tenure, you put in your best from day one. You know this is the only chance that you have,” Bamidele argued[cite: 17].

However, Ameh, a former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), countered that removing the re-election check would create a six-year period of unaccountability[cite: 17]. He explained that the re-election process is a vital mechanism for voters to evaluate and pass judgment on a government’s performance[cite: 17].

Without this mechanism, Ameh fears elected officials would use their single term to enrich themselves, buying private jets and renovating government houses before leaving office without consequence[cite: 17].

“If this six-year term comes into practice, there will not be accountability. It will worsen corruption,” Ameh stressed[cite: 17].

Instead of a blanket switch to a single term, Ameh proposed a radical alternative: retain the four-year tenure but introduce a mandatory referendum. This assessment would determine whether an incumbent has performed well enough to be eligible to seek a second term on the ballot[cite: 17].

Furthermore, Ameh addressed the long-standing demand for rotational presidency, suggesting it could foster inclusivity among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, though he warned that rotation alone “cannot guarantee good governance” if the leadership lacks the “kindness” to serve the people[cite: 17].

Ultimately, Ameh concluded, Nigeria’s priority must be comprehensive electoral reform to ensure transparent elections where voters can freely choose leaders capable of addressing poverty and transforming national resources for the common good[cite: 17].

The foreign exchange market has witnessed notable movements as the naira oscillates across both the official and parallel windows.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to latest market figures, the dollar is trading at approximately ₦1,328 at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), marking a slight appreciation compared to previous sessions. Meanwhile, in the parallel or informal market, the dollar is quoted at around ₦1,375, narrowing the gap between the official and street rates.

Key highlights from the currency markets include:

• Official Market Activity: Turnover in the official window saw a massive surge, climbing by 181.5 percent to $279.2 million.

• External Reserves Buffer: Nigeria’s external reserves stand strong at $54.674 billion, providing critical foreign exchange liquidity and backing for the local currency.

• Market Variance: Financial analysts note that actual exchange rates for individuals and businesses may still vary depending on commercial banks, Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, transaction sizes, and specific locations.

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has charged religious leaders across the country to take an active stand against corruption by continually preaching the right doctrines to their followers.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Olukoyede made this call in Abuja on Wednesday at the 2nd Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), which also featured the official launch of the Anti-Corruption Interfaith Manual for religious leaders.

Key highlights from the EFCC boss’s address include:

• The Cost of Corruption: Olukoyede emphasized that corruption privatizes public wealth, allowing a few to flourish while plunging many into poverty, noting that the EFCC stands to defend the integrity of the national commonwealth.

• Crime Has No Faith: Highlighting the non-discriminatory nature of financial crimes, he stated that fraud does not change identity based on the accused, and public suffering—such as collapsed roads, failing healthcare, and inflation—affects everyone regardless of religion.

• Faith Communities as Preventive Agents: While the EFCC investigates conduct and prosecutes fraud, Olukoyede stressed that churches and mosques hold the extraordinary power to influence character, cultivate honesty, and prevent corruption before it begins.

The newly launched manual, developed alongside the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee (IAAC), provides a comprehensive guide for Christian and Muslim preachers to integrate anti-corruption teachings into their sermons. NIREC Executive Secretary Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua commended the initiative, noting it will greatly support peaceful coexistence and moral revival.