- Advocates 6-Year Single Presidency
By Kolawole Ojebisi
Former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has advocated for a single-term of six years for President and state governors, respectively.
Kalu said this alteration of tenure will bring a style of government that will make politicans, especially those at the executive arm of government, to focus on the serious business of governance rather than playing politics and working on reelection.
Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday.
He noted that he has always been at the forefront of the campaign for a single term of six years since the Obasanjo administration.
Kalu said that Obasanjo hated him for this stance because he thought he was working against his political ambition.
He said: “When I was a governor, I voted for one term of six years. Remember Obasanjo said I was after him. That was the beginning of our quarrel. I went for one term of six years because of the cost of election, because of the cost of managing the economy. As a governor or a president, their eyes are on re-election. They are not even thinking about what people will gain, what people will do. They are only looking for reelection. The only way to solve this problem is to do a six-year one term.
“It will go a long way in boosting their performance because the people think they need to make money for re-election in my opinion.”
Kalu also said that he earns 14 million monthly as a senator, but the money is not enough to take care of his overhead and other costs.
He said that the money is not enough to cover his expenses.
Kalu argued that most senators were doing well for their constituents, saying he would never fail his people.
“I am doing my best as a legislator for my constituency. I will never fail in my duty and I am sure most senators are doing their duties in their constituencies. I can never fail in Abia North Senatorial District.
“I earn N14 million in a month encompassing my salary, overhead and workers’ salaries. Let me be honest with you, do you know from this money I have to buy fuel to travel to my constituency? It’s not enough.” Kalu said.
Orji Uzor Kalu was the governor of Abia during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo which lasted from 1999-2007.
Kalu is believed to be one of the politicians who stood against Obasanjo when he purportedly sought tenure extension.
Obasanjo, through what is now known as “third term agenda”, had reportedly asked some legislators to tinker with the constitution to enable him enjoy another four year tenure in office.
