By Chinedu Ngwuta, Abakaliki
The Senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Senator Kenneth Emeka Eze, has called on Nigerians to disregard media reports alleging that he proposed a single 16-year tenure for Nigeria’s presidency, describing the claim as false and misleading.
In a press statement issued by his Senior Legislative Aide, Kizito Nwankwo, the lawmaker distanced himself from the trending publication, insisting he has never sponsored, submitted, or formally proposed any constitutional amendment seeking to introduce a 16-year single tenure for the office of President or any other elected political office in Nigeria.
According to the statement, the report was a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the senator’s position and undermine his legislative reputation.
Nwankwo noted that the lawmaker is known for aligning with popular democratic views and maintaining a strong commitment to constitutional governance.
He explained that the remarks credited to the senator were made during a broader intellectual discussion on governance stability, policy continuity, and the recurring distractions caused by prolonged election cycles. He added that the senator merely referenced theoretical governance models often examined by scholars and policy experts globally.
The aide stressed that the comments were exploratory and comparative in nature, not a legislative proposal, Senate motion, or campaign for tenure elongation. He said the discussion focused on ways to deepen policy implementation and reduce the culture of abandoned government projects.
The statement further emphasized that Nigeria operates under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides for a four-year tenure for elected public officials, renewable once. It reaffirmed the senator’s belief in constitutional democracy, rule of law, separation of powers, and periodic electoral accountability.
Nwankwo described attempts to extract fragments from broader policy discussions and present them as concrete legislative agendas as misleading and unfair to public discourse.
He noted that democratic policy conversations often involve examining multiple governance models, including parliamentary systems, single-term presidencies, and hybrid democratic frameworks across different jurisdictions.
The statement maintained that the senator’s focus remains on laws and reforms that improve citizens’ welfare, strengthen democratic institutions, and promote long-term national stability rather than personal or political power extension.
The media team also urged journalists and commentators to uphold professional standards by presenting public statements in proper context and avoiding sensational interpretations capable of creating unnecessary political controversy.
It concluded by reaffirming Senator Eze’s commitment to Nigeria’s democratic growth, institutional strengthening, and strict adherence to constitutional order.
