KEY POINTS
- Senator Orji Uzor Kalu suggests that presidents and governors should run for six years and have no re-election to reduce re-election costs.
- The current two term system distracts leadership from governance and is the reason Kalu now favours term limits for himself and others, he says.
- He also denies accusations about excessively high senatorial pay and calls for lower government spending.
Nigeria’s Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has reenforced his support for a six year single term for presidents and state governors, saying such a policy would drastically cut the cost of governance and concentrate focus on development.
In his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Abia North senator said the current two four year term system diverts the attention of elected officials on re-election as opposed to governance.
Many politicians are consumed by re-election after taking office, spending too much time pursuing campaign donations instead of public service, Kalu argued.
The only way out is give no incentive to anybody, one term of six years. And this will help in boosting performance, because most politicians feel they need to make money for re-election,” Kalu said.
Cutting governance costs and enhancing performance
He noted that foreign aid and government excesses amongst other things should be prioritized in its reduction as unnecessary expenditures.
Orji Kalu also dismissed claims that senators take home exaggerated remuneration and vehicle perks. He said senators earn N14m monthly which comprises of salaries, overhead and constituency expenses, which leaves little for personal use.
‘We are the elected, but we don’t have official vehicles.’ He said that a senator earns N14 million per month ‘and it covers everything.’
Speaking on his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kalu said the party has performed well in some economic indices, but its effort in reforming the economy are resulting in untold hardship for all Nigerians.
According to Vanguard, Bola Tinubu prays to be aware of the sufferings, he said and affirmed that President is in touch with the everyday sufferings of Nigerians.
Reacting finally, Kalu quashed speculations of discord with President Tinubu and also denied plans to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio. “There are no such moves,” he concluded, adding he is committed to the present leadership.
