29th July, 2011
The Chairman, Enugu State Council of the NUJ, Mr Rockefeller Ogboso, says the proposed six-year single tenure for president and governors will only work if elected leaders shun corruption.
Ogboso told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka on Friday that the country’s problem was not the tenure which such leaders served but their lack of accountability and transparency.
“Nigerians will not bother much if leaders on either single or second tenure show genuine commitment to improve people’s welfare as well as build infrastructure to fast-track the economy.
“So what matters is not single or second tenure but the amount of democracy dividends the people benefit while the leader is in office.
“If our leaders will decide to purge themselves of corrupt practices that have become a cog in the wheel of progress, this country will move to the next stage.
“For the single tenure to succeed, immunity clause should be removed so that elected leaders who engage in misconduct can be prosecuted even while in office.”
Ogboso said the single tenure initiative should not be the priority of President Goodluck Jonathan now and advised him to solve the severe problems facing the country first.
“Security challenges in the country, especially Boko Haram, implementing workers’ minimum wage as well as tackling bribery and corruption no matter who is involved are some of these problems.
“It is after sanitising the system and improving the economy that government can then talk of either single or double tenure system.
“Welfare of workers should be taken care of as a way of moving the country forward because no country can progress without well paid civil servants that will ensure industrial harmony.”