By Fortune Abang
The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NiDO)-Worldwide has stressed that African leaders must recommit to presidential term limits to end “sit-tight governance” and ensure smooth democratic transitions.
The Coordinating Chairman, Worldwide, Mr Chibuzo Ubochi, made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Ubochi, also Chairman, NiDO-Europe, called on the African Union and regional blocs to treat unconstitutional tenure extensions with the same seriousness as coups.
He observed that “sit-tight” approach practiced by some African heads of government had become troubling pattern, resulting in leaders manipulating their nations’ constitutions.
The chairman attributed elongation of constitutional tenure of office by public officials to remain in power beyond their original mandate, to weakening governance institutions.
According to him, Sit-tight syndrome erodes public trust, fuels instability, constrains civic space, and often goes hand-in-hand with corruption and human-rights abuses.
“Ultimately, it deprives nations of renewal, innovation and accountable governance.
“Africa leaders must recommit to clear, non-extendable presidential term limits backed by enforcement mechanisms and consequences for violations.
“Where term limits are respected, democratic quality improves and peaceful transfer of power becomes the norm, not the exception.
“The African Union and regional blocs must treat unconstitutional tenure extensions with the same seriousness as coups.
“Political and economic sanctions should apply equally. Democracy cannot condemn tanks on the streets, while tolerating coups executed through legal manipulations.”
He stressed the need to establish mandatory transparent voter registration, open results-management systems, and credible domestic and international observation, including structured diaspora participation.
According to him, elections should be competitive pathways to leadership, not ceremonial exercises.
Ubochi advocated legal frameworks to pave way for independent candidates and meaningful diaspora participation through voting rights abroad.
He also sought for the inclusion of dual citizenship and fair access to contest in Africa nations’ constitutions, adding leadership should be earned on merit, not monopolised by entrenched political party machinery.
“Unified, non-partisan diaspora platforms, such as NiDO demonstrate how citizens exposed to functional democratic transitions can advocate coherently for accountability.
“African diaspora organisations should also work closely with host governments, to secure protection for activists and their families, including asylum pathways, emergency visas and human-rights monitoring.
“Although fear remains one of the most effective tools of authoritarianism, such must be overcome. Beyond resisting bad leadership, Africa must cultivate expectations of accountability.
“This requires sustained civic education, youth engagement and ethical leadership programmes. Africa’s sit-tight problem is not inevitable, It is the result of deliberate constitutional manipulation and weak enforcement of democratic norms.
“The antidote is a deliberate firm term limits, transparent elections and open political competition.
“African diaspora must be critical partners in advocacy, expertise, and principled pressure to African and international democratic institutions,” he said. (NAN)
