By Babatunji Wusu
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has sparked a new wave of political debate by suggesting that a constitutional amendment may be sought to extend President Bola Tinubu’s tenure beyond the current two-term limit. In a congratulatory message marking the President’s 74th birthday on Sunday, March 29, 2026, the monarch described the Nigerian leader as a visionary whose “uncommon leadership” is successfully laying a foundation for national recovery.
The traditional ruler noted that the President’s decisive approach to governance has already begun to yield tangible results. He highlighted significant improvements in key economic indicators, specifically pointing to Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which have climbed to over $49.5 billion—with some reports placing the figure as high as $50.45 billion as of March 2026. The monarch attributed these gains to bold structural shifts, including the unification of the exchange rate, increased domestic oil production, and a steady rise in foreign investment inflows.
Beyond macroeconomic data, Oba Akanbi praised the administration’s commitment to grassroots development and infrastructure. He cited the effective implementation of local government autonomy, which has led to increased financial allocations to states, as well as the progress of massive road projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Road. According to the Oluwo, while past leaders may have faltered under public pressure, Tinubu has remained firm on “tough decisions” such as fuel subsidy removal to ensure long-term stability.
Despite the monarch’s optimism, any move toward a term extension would face significant legal hurdles. Nigeria’s current constitution strictly limits the presidency to two four-year terms. President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, celebrated his recent birthday in a low-key fashion, citing the prevailing national mood and the ongoing economic challenges facing citizens. While the royal father believes the public may eventually demand a “constitutional review” to keep the President in power, such a change would require extensive approval from both the National Assembly and state legislatures across the federation.
Do you believe a leader’s economic performance should ever justify amending the constitution to extend term limits?
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