Four years isn’t enough – Goodluck Jonathan calls for rethink of presidential term in Ghana and Nigeria

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has questioned the effectiveness of the four-year presidential term in Ghana and Nigeria, arguing that the limited tenure hampers long-term national development and meaningful governance.

Speaking at the Executive Leadership Retreat in Ada, Ghana, where he addressed an audience of ministers and senior government officials, Jonathan highlighted the unique challenges leaders in West Africa face under such brief mandates.

“In Nigeria and Ghana, our tenure for president is so short. In Africa, it is only Nigeria and Ghana that have a four-year tenure of presidency.

“Most countries have five years. What can somebody do in four years?” he said.

The former president emphasized that incoming leaders often spend a significant part of their first year acclimating to the demands of office, leaving just two effective years to implement policies before the distractions of an election year begin.

“If you are a new person and you just came in, you need about a year before you will adjust. You work for two years, the next year is an election year.

“So time to really move your country is very limited,” Jonathan added.