Mfyai@Yahoo.Com

The controversial single term in office for elected and rigged public office holders is an issue that must be given a reasonable consideration; paramount in the mind of all and sundry as it affects our socio-political life and dividend of democracy. Also this can been viewed in relation to the second term syndrome cumulated in violence and blood shed by our political class in the verge of getting power at all cost. At the same time, my constituency (youths) suffered a lot in the hands of these power seekers due to neglect and poverty stricken the country. However, the motive of the sponsors of the document a six-year term, need be defined as signals already have it as a plot to pave way for their third term in office; they should be resisted with impunity.

If that is their primary mission and ambition for circulating the document in the floor of the National Political Reform Conference, the delegates should trade their integrity with national interest. The delegates are in the conference at the instance of the citizens and not to pivot the interest of the executive even though they were not elected by the masses. In whatever deliberations and decisions they may take, the country as a federating unit, should be upper most in their minds. Dearly Beloved delegates “the destiny of the country is in your hands, crying for justice and equity for its redemption, purposeful policies and laws for its salvation, akin to the cry of the less priviledge at the expense of the capitalist” we need policy that will justify Nigeria as the real giant of Africa.

My advice to the delegates is to be watch full, steadfast and willing to work. Most of the delegates are there for selfish interest ready to yield to forces from outside, most especially the representative of the federal government are their to play pranks on the masses by introducing vague policies with hidden agenda.

The present single term document on the floor of the National Political Reform Conference clearly proved the fact that the President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has an agenda. It is not far from the fact that he (President OBJ) speculation to cling to power through constitutional reform for third term is coming to reality and everybody is watching with keen interest. What is corruption? Is a question, that every reader of this article need to answer, this is real system induce and systematic corruption without any probe by EFCC and ICPC. In case the president is not aware, he should be aware that Nigerians could think, we can reason and have a logical conclusion to postulated ideas from the back door. Baba (OBJ) should step aside after the expiration of the second term in office come 2007, than being rigmaroled, as dubious player in the field of politics. Perhaps, if the president is so keen to remain in office beyond 2007, he should design another document that will empower him (OBJ) to be life president and even extend to his children, children. Human being is like human want that is insatiable.

If the single term rules being advocated is a way of stemming the chaotic and violent nature in our polity, to sanitise our present democratic system is a welcome idea. But with a strict major, the incumbents in the likes of President Olusengu Obasanjo and some of the state Governors who are currently serving their two term in office of eight years under the present constitution must be clearly excluded from the new initiative. This will clearly disabuse the mind of Nigerians from any hidden agenda what so ever, by the conveners of the National Political Reform Conference. However, if by omission or commission the third term bid sail through and the president is allowed to contest, it amounts to high political corruption, which the present administration is fighting against.

Nigeria is our country, as citizens we need not be isolated in making a meaningful contribution to any issue affecting our coexistence. As Nigerians we ought to contribute actively in the present swindle of single term in our political mainstream. Our view should be aired reasonably without bias.

The single term has its advantages and disadvantages, what we need do is to dissect the pros and cons and arrive at conclusive ideas that will reshape our social economic and political existence to promote our national heritage. The question is, will the government perform creditable knowing fully well they have a single term to rule? Will it not expose the leaders to corrupt practice? Will it not lead to inability to deliver dividend of democracy? However, with the present second term system are the public office holders not performing below average considering the fact that they have a second term and their productivity will give them the needed votes? These are frank question we must ask ourselves, a goat is always a goat, no matter the training and cohabitation with a sheep. Water, they say is a shadow of ice block vis-a-vis.

As a Nigerian, if we must embrace the single term advocacy there must be a genuine guiding principle laid down to streamline the single term system. Relatively the single term system is a good idea, it is good in the sense that, the tension in our country ranging from second term scam will be reduce; most especially youths that are used for this scourge for second term pursuit will not waste their life recklessly. Taking inventory from the 2003 poll by public office holders (incumbents) who bent on clinging to power for the second term; the scene was rampage with political thuggery, political assassination, political kidnapping and so on. If this alone will serve our youths from political inducement and embarrassment by public office holders is a good thing to reckon.

In all, we are still relying no the National Political Reform Conference delegates, our hope is built around their meaningful deliberation and contribution, they are the ones using pen at Abuja, they can manipulate the masses if they want as in previous cases, our breath is with you (delegates). Right from the onset of the confab, I have seen some level of change in our country where men and women of integrity discuss issues and arrive at a conclusive dimension. Confab members should resist any attempt from any quarter that wants to induce or influence their deliberation and decision by any means; they should be swift to action and prompt with decisions. Once again single term “ Obasanjo and the Governors who are currently serving their second term should be excluded from the single term advocacy”; anybody with hidden agenda should be resisted as it amounts to corruption. Corruption is not only financial mismanagement and looters of public fund it embraces any act, such as cheating and indolence.

Movement for Youth Actualization International (MYAI) a Non governmental organization (NGO) in Delta Sate-Nigeria