SECOND - TERM SYNDROME: AN IMPEDIMENT OR A CATALYST FOR AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE?

Abstract

In Africa, second-term seeking by political office holders has become a routine. After a first-term, elected political office holders attempted to re-contest for another term in order to perpetuate themselves in office. However, one of the reasons given for this is to enable them complete projects, which they probably were unable to complete in their first-term in corridor of power. Other reasons could be as a result of their inability to enjoy their stay in political corridor at the expense of democratic governance, which gives room for other players to seek and replace the incumbents from continuing their exploit in democratic space. This trend has become a norm in Africa over-time, with its attendant implication on African democratic governance. Given that politics play a significant role in transition, the recurring decimal of second term syndrome continues to play a critical factor as either an obstacle or catalyst for African democratic governance. To this end, this paper looked at the concepts of democracy, governance and implication of second-term on African democratic governance. This paper also examined the role of election in second-term seeking in African democratic governance. The research paper also made use of relevant qualitative secondary data on the subject matter of discourse. It also relied on available secondary research output from African countries, particularly Nigeria where cases of second-term pattern have been exhibited. The paper recommended a single term of six years against two four - year terms for public officers in order to ease the hostile crisis, political instability, electoral violence and dissention arising from second term bid.