ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel Fatau Musah, says the usual four year presidential tenure in West African countries is too short to achieve real development or strengthen democracy.
He made the comment on Monday in Abuja during the signing of the Regional Partnership for Democracy Programme. Musah, who represented the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, said countries like Nigeria and Ghana struggle to carry out major development plans within just one term.
He said, “Take a country like Nigeria or Ghana, where the mandate of a democratically elected president does not exceed four years, and practically speaking, four years is not enough even to initiate major developmental programmes.” He added that the region should place tenure limits on the agenda for wider discussion.
Musah listed several threats to democracy in West Africa. These include judicial manipulation, the exclusion of opposition parties, rising coups, and leaders staying in power through unconstitutional means. He said the RPD Programme, launched with the UNDP and the Federal Government, is coming at a time when the relationship between governments and citizens is breaking down.
According to him, democracy in the region is failing to deliver basic infrastructure, security, and social support for the vulnerable. He also warned that global tensions, terrorism, violent extremism, and the spread of fake news made possible by advanced technology are worsening the situation.
Musah stressed that national security alone cannot replace democracy and development, saying any system built only on force will eventually collapse.
He urged the UNDP to focus on political parties, the direction of liberal democracy in the region, and other key reforms.
His comments come as some countries debate term limits. Benin approved a constitutional amendment in November 2025 extending presidential and legislative terms from five to seven years, while keeping the two term limit. In Nigeria, a bill proposing a six year single term was rejected by the House of Representatives in 2024.
