Obi’s One-Term Plan Sparks Outrage: ACF Labels It A ‘Deceptive Strategy

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has dismissed the recent pledge by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to serve only one term if elected President in 2027, describing it as nothing more than a political maneuver.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had publicly reiterated his commitment to a single four-year term, emphasizing that impactful leadership matters more than prolonged tenure. He cited global icons like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela to support the idea that transformational governance can happen within one term.

In a statement to journalists on Sunday, Obi declared that his promise was “sacrosanct,” and that if elected, he would prioritize purpose-driven leadership over ambition for a second term.

However, the ACF reacted with skepticism. Speaking to Leadership, the forum’s spokesperson, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, argued that Obi’s promise carries no constitutional weight and is purely a campaign tactic.

He emphasized that under the Nigerian Constitution, any elected president is entitled to seek re-election for a second term, and such personal promises, while admirable, cannot be enforced.

“The Constitution allows a president to run for a second term; it doesn’t mandate it, but the option exists,” Muhammad-Baba stated. “In that sense, Obi’s vow is a personal intention, not a legal commitment. It’s a strategic move to appeal to certain regions, particularly in the North.”

He drew a comparison with former President Muhammadu Buhari, who also promised a single term before seeking re-election in 2019. “No one could stop him constitutionally,” he said.

Muhammad-Baba added that promises like Obi’s have no binding force: “It is not a constitutional requirement. Once elected, it remains the prerogative of the president to pursue a second term. History has shown that such pledges are often political rhetoric and not enforceable.”