QUESTION OF THE DAY
IS TERM LIMIT FOR THE PRESIDENCY A WESTERN PHENOMENON?
Many countries in Europe are still ceremonial constitutional monarchies and many do not have term limits. However, the governments depend on highly competitive multi party systems for their formation and existence. It is becoming virtually impossible for one party to govern without a coalition.
Term limit goes with Republican constitutions whose fundamental aim is to abolish monarchical rule.
In West Africa all countries are Republics. It is therefore no surprise that all progressive Republics in West Africa are trying to curb self perpetuating rule by introducing term limits.
The UN, AU AND ECOWAS should not intervene to solve any political crisis without ensuring that the first president after the crisis agrees to serve only one term to carry out constitutional and institutional reforms and build a genuinely democratic states which would have an environment conducive for multi party contest and government based on consent. The instruments should establish a term limit.
