Human rights lawyer and constitutional scholar, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is positioning himself to remain in office beyond the constitutionally permitted two-term limit, claiming the current administration is laying the groundwork for a third-term agenda.
Odinkalu made the claim while speaking on Naija Unfiltered, a programme hosted by Olawale Oluwade, arguing that recent political and legislative developments point to what he described as a calculated effort to extend the President’s stay in power.
“There’ll be a third term,” Odinkalu declared when asked whether he genuinely believes Tinubu would seek to remain in office beyond 2031 (if he wins re-election in 2027).
According to him, the administration’s political moves go beyond securing a second four-year mandate.
“President Tinubu has not done all of this just for another four years. There will be a third term,” he said, adding that those dismissing the possibility were ignoring what he described as clear warning signs.
Odinkalu also criticised the National Assembly, accusing lawmakers of abandoning their constitutional responsibilities and acting as an extension of the Executive.
He described the legislature as “a disgrace,” arguing that it no longer performs meaningful legislative scrutiny.
The former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) cited the swift passage of key bills, including the restoration of Nigeria’s old national anthem and the State Police Bill, as evidence that Parliament was failing to carry out proper legislative oversight.
According to him, the speed with which such significant legislation was passed, without extensive public consultation or debate, raises concerns about the independence of the National Assembly.
Odinkalu further alleged that there are subterranean plans to amend the Constitution by replacing the current four-year renewable presidential tenure with a single six-year term.
He claimed that such an amendment could create legal arguments allowing the incumbent president to contest under the new arrangement after completing two terms.
The senior lawyer also linked the alleged agenda to ongoing legal debates over former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to seek another presidential term, insisting the matter could be used as a constitutional precedence.
“There will be a third term, and I’m prepared to bet on it,” Odinkalu reiterated.
The Presidency and the National Assembly have not officially responded to the allegations.