Former Senate President, David Mark, has suggested that Nigerian legislators may benefit from serving multiple terms, noting that a single four-year tenure may not allow lawmakers enough time to fully understand the workings of the National Assembly.
Speaking on Saturday at the launch of the book “The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria” by former senator Effiong Bob, Mark said first-term legislators often spend their initial years learning procedures and navigating the complex legislative environment.
“I spent 20 years in the Senate, and by the later years, I knew every rule and procedure by heart. In the first four years, you are just finding your way around”, Mark said.
The retired brigadier general, who represented Benue South Senatorial District and now serves as national chairperson of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), argued that experienced lawmakers are better positioned to influence policy and contribute effectively to governance.
He emphasized that restricting legislators to a single term could reduce continuity, weaken legislative effectiveness, and limit institutional knowledge. “This business of saying a lawmaker should only serve one term doesn’t work. You cannot achieve maximum impact in four years”, he said.
Mark did not clarify whether his proposal was aimed at political parties or voters, but he stressed the value of experience and familiarity with parliamentary procedures in achieving meaningful legislative outcomes.
About the Author
