Peter Obi proposes one-term presidency as coalition adopts ADC

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has formally proposed to serve only one term if elected president in 2027 — a move that has been submitted to the opposition coalition for consideration, according to Yunusa Tanko, national coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide.

Tanko confirmed this development on Tuesday during a chieftaincy ceremony in Gombe State, just a day after Obi publicly declared his willingness to spend only four years in office to respect Nigeria’s power rotation principle.

Obi’s proposal, submitted to the coalition of opposition leaders — which includes former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, ex-transportation minister Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai — is seen as a strategic step to unify southern and northern interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Anambra governor stated on Monday that any southern candidate elected president in 2027 must be prepared to exit office by May 28, 2031. He said this is in line with an “unwritten power-sharing agreement” aimed at preserving Nigeria’s fragile political balance.

Although not mandated by the constitution, Obi’s one-term pledge is part of a broader effort to project integrity, unity, and national healing within the opposition alliance. Tanko noted that the proposal has been well-received within the coalition.

“We have presented it to the coalition. It is there for them to make a decision. But we are confident it can work,” Tanko said. “This is a pronouncement rooted in integrity, and Peter Obi embodies that. What Nigeria needs now are leaders with integrity.”

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He emphasized that Obi believes four years is sufficient to deliver transformative leadership, particularly in critical sectors like power and infrastructure.

“That shows you how prepared and focused he is,” Tanko added. “Even stabilising electricity alone will solve a multitude of problems. He is promising that under his leadership, Nigeria will become an exporting country again. Planes will no longer leave our airports empty.”

In a significant political shift, the coalition on Tuesday adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.

The adoption of the ADC marks a major step forward in consolidating opposition efforts, with more details about the coalition’s structure and strategy expected in the coming weeks.