Oluwo of Iwo: Nigerians may demand constitutional amendment for Tinubu to exceed two terms

The Oluwo of Iwo has praised President Bola Tinubu’s “decisive” economic reforms on his 74th birthday, even suggesting that the President’s performance might inspire calls for a constitutional review to extend his time in office.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has lauded President Bola Tinubu as a “decisive leader” whose structural reforms have laid a vital foundation for Nigeria’s future. In a congratulatory message marking the President’s 74th birthday, the monarch highlighted significant economic improvements, including the unification of the exchange rate and a surge in foreign reserves, which he claimed rose from approximately $1 billion to over $49.5 billion by early 2026. “Many Nigerians may call for a constitutional review to enable Tinubu to serve more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” Akanbi stated, praising the administration’s courage in implementing difficult policies that previous leaders avoided.

The traditional ruler specifically pointed to the administration’s success in tackling illegalities and boosting oil production as key drivers of current economic stability. He noted that the President’s “uncommon leadership” has manifested in tangible infrastructure projects, such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal road and the Sokoto-Badagry road, alongside the granting of autonomy to local governments. “You are not yet a capable leader until you take decisions and stand by them,” the monarch remarked, adding that “Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms. Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn.”

While President Tinubu marked his 74th birthday with a low-key celebration and prayers at the National Mosque in Abuja, the Oluwo emphasized that the current phase of governance is successfully improving living standards. He credited the rise in foreign investment inflows and increased state allocations to the President’s bold stance against economic obstacles. Reflecting on the President’s persistence despite potential public pushback, the monarch observed, “Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries,” suggesting that Tinubu’s steadfastness is what sets his tenure apart.

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