Bago Advocates For Single-Term Governorship.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has voiced his support for a single-term tenure for state governors, saying it would promote better governance.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for new commissioners, local government chairmen, their deputies, permanent secretaries, and board members, Bago explained that the ambition to secure a second term often prevents governors from making tough but necessary decisions.

Though he did not specify the length of the proposed single term or when it should start, the governor admitted that the quest for re-election in 2027 has hindered his ability to take some critical actions.

“There are measures I wanted to implement to advance the state, but I refrained out of concern for how it might affect my chances in the 2027 election,” he said. “For example, some individuals who failed exams and should have faced consequences were spared because of second-term considerations.”

Bago noted that political interests have overly influenced governance in Niger State, restricting firm leadership.

“I support the idea of governors serving only one term. Politics has made it hard to act decisively. There are people I want to dismiss but cannot. The focus on winning a second term has negatively impacted governance. One term would allow a governor to concentrate fully from start to finish,” he added.

Addressing the recent kidnapping of students and teachers at St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government, the governor described the incident as unusual and troubling for Niger State.

He reflected on a time when the state’s forests were safe for Boy Scout expeditions but lamented that those same areas are now hideouts for bandits.

“Kidnapping and abduction were unheard of in Niger,” he said, calling on the community to unite in fighting this menace and praying for the safe return of the abducted children and teachers.

Bago urged the newly appointed officials to support his “New Niger” agenda aimed at driving progress in all areas of the state.

He stressed that there should be no discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, or family background.

“We must build a new Niger where anyone, regardless of their origin, can succeed. It is time to take a fresh path to develop the state,” he declared.

The governor did not assign specific roles to the new commissioners but promised to announce their portfolios within a week.