Peter Obi’s One-Term Pledge for 2027 Presidency Stirs Debate in Nigeria

On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi reiterated his commitment to serve only one four-year term if elected president in 2027, sparking widespread debate across Nigeria’s political landscape. Responding to critics on X, Obi argued that a sincere leader could transform Nigeria in 48 months, emphasizing service over personal ambition and citing his clean record free of electoral malpractice. He referenced global leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Clement Attlee, who achieved significant reforms in single terms, and pledged to tackle corruption, redirecting funds from lavish expenses like presidential jets (₦81 billion in 2024, per BudgIT) to education and healthcare. Obi’s stance, echoed by former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, aligns with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition’s strategy but raises concerns about disrupting the North-South power rotation, potentially extending southern presidency to 12 years if President Bola Tinubu is not re-elected.

Supporters like Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA) and novelist Chimamanda Adichie praised Obi’s integrity, with Abaribe calling his word “bankable” and Adichie highlighting his lack of desperation. Chief Peter Ameh of CUPP defended the pledge as constitutional under Section 135(2), arguing it challenges the entitlement of two-term presidencies. However, critics like Chief Chekwas Okorie (APGA founder) and Bashir Ahmed, former aide to Muhammadu Buhari, labeled it a desperate tactic, citing past broken promises by leaders like Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo. PDP’s Timothy Osadolor warned it undermines the 1999 Constitution’s eight-year provision, while Senator Neda Imasuen (APC) and Osun APC’s Kola Olabisi argued four years is insufficient for Nigeria’s complex challenges, like 34.2% inflation and 38.9% poverty (NBS, 2025). X posts from @SaharaReporters and @Vanguardngrnews on August 5 reflected polarized views, with some hailing Obi’s sincerity and others dismissing it as political posturing amid coalition rivalries.