Criticisms as Oluwo suggests possible push for constitutional change to extend Tinubu’s tenure

NIGERIANS are criticising the Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi, who suggested that Nigerians could eventually demand an amendment to the constitution to allow President Bola Tinubu remain in office beyond the current two-term limit.

The monarch made the remark in a goodwill message commemorating Tinubu’s 74th birthday issued by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli.

Akanbi described the president as a firm and purposeful leader, saying his policies have rekindled optimism about Nigeria’s future. He noted that public support for Tinubu’s leadership could translate into calls for constitutional adjustments that would enable him to serve more than two terms.

According to the traditional ruler, Tinubu has shown strong leadership through a series of reforms targeted at addressing economic challenges and removing longstanding structural constraints.

READ ALSO: ‘Is your life now better under President Tinubu?’ El-Rufai asks, says Kaduna govt pays bandits

He added that the administration’s crackdown on illegal practices has helped ease bottlenecks that previously hindered economic progress. Akanbi pointed to what he described as improving economic indicators, including a strengthening naira and rising foreign reserves.

He said Nigeria’s foreign reserves grew from about $1 billion to between $49.5 billion and $50.45 billion as of late February and March 2026, attributing the increase to policy reforms.

The monarch identified exchange rate unification, improved oil production, and increased foreign investment inflows as key drivers of the gains.

He also commended the president for granting autonomy to local governments, noting that the move has boosted allocations to states and enhanced governance at the grassroots level.

Akanbi further praised ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Road, describing them as critical to national development.

He said Tinubu has demonstrated courage by implementing tough decisions, adding that effective leadership requires the ability to take and stand by difficult choices.

Reflecting on past administrations, the monarch said previous leaders attempted similar reforms but were often constrained by public resistance.

He maintained that Tinubu’s policies are beginning to yield improvements in living conditions, expressing optimism that the next phase of governance would focus on consolidating economic stability.

Tinubu marked his 74th birthday on Sunday with a modest celebration, observing prayers at the National Mosque in Abuja.

Knocks on Oluwo

However, Oluwo’s comment has attracted severe criticisms, with several Nigerians pointing out that statements like that could turn a leader into a dictator.

“This is the kind of statement every well-meaning Nigerian should condemn,” said an Abuja-based public affairs analyst, Dr Ibrahim Salihu. “Is he suggesting that Tinubu is doing so well that Nigerians may have to ask him to extend his tenure? Even the third term of Obasanjo, who did far better than Tinubu, was resisted by his own party and Nigerians. Why then should Nigerians grant that to Tinubu under whose tenure the petrol price has risen more than 6 times and naira weakened by over 70 percent? Maybe someone like Oluwo is enjoying because of his regional affiliation to Tinubu, but many Nigerians today can’t afford to have three square means in a day. The World Bank corroboated this last year when it said that 139 million Nigerians are now poor. So, he should just not insult our sensibilities.”

READ ALSO: Natasha: Tinubu’s men persuading me to join APC, but I am staying in PDP

A Lagos-based economist, Mr Chude Akunna. also faulted Oluwo’s comment, saying that this kind of comment makes dictators in every nation.

“If you read history, you will find that most leaders who went to change the constitutions of their nations to extend their tenures conceived the idea from comments of praise-singers. I guess that Oluwo did not read the room. He should have acknowledged what Nigerians are passing through in the hands of Tinubu. Even at the APC convention, Finance Minister, Wale Edun, acknowledged the hardship faced by Nigerians. So, I think it is praise-singing taken too far.”

A civil servant in Lagos State, who pleaded anonymity, said several Nigerians from the South-West are now baffled by the level of hardship under Tinubu, stressing that his administration has imposed ‘unnecessary hardship’ on Nigerians.

“Think of high petrol prices, numerous taxes, naira depreciation, high inflation, high debt burden, poor international image and high level of insecurity. Do we condemn former President Muhammadu Buhari for running Nigeria poorly but praise Tinubu for doing the same, because he is our own?” he asked.

However, a Lagos-based economist, Mr Jide Ajanaku, explained that Tinubu deserves all the accolades he gets for stabilising the economy, especially the naira, and restoring investor confidence in the nation.

“I do not know why people are talking about Oluwo, but you can see that naira has been stable for over a year. The foreign reserves have now grown to over $50 billion, and we do not do ways and means again, which is helping the economy. Today, states are getting more money. So, Tinubu deserves all the accolades.”