Nigeria News Today | The Bureau News | Africa News

By Amanabo Abalaka

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has described Peter Obi’s promise to serve only one term if elected president in 2027 as a “political strategy,” saying it holds no legal weight under Nigeria’s Constitution.

According to The Bureau News, Obi, who ran as the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 general election, recently restated his commitment to serve for only four years if elected. But the ACF says such a pledge is unenforceable, noting that the Constitution permits any president to serve two terms.

“Peter Obi’s one-term declaration is a personal choice, not a constitutional obligation,”
said ACF spokesperson, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, during an interview with LEADERSHIP newspaper.

“He can always change his mind, just like past presidents. The Constitution does not bind him to that promise.”

“It’s All Strategy” – ACF on Power Rotation Politics – Nigeria News Today

Obi’s latest commitment comes amid continued discussions about power rotation between Nigeria’s North and South. After eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari from the North, power shifted to President Bola Tinubu of the South in 2023. Many political analysts expect the South to retain the presidency until 2031 before rotating power back to the North.

But the ACF argues that such declarations often serve electoral purposes and can change once power is attained.

“It is a tactic to appeal to certain regions,”
Prof. Muhammad-Baba stated.
“No one can legally stop him from contesting for a second term if he becomes president. Buhari once made a similar one-term vow and still sought re-election in 2019.”

He added that Nigeria’s Constitution permits a maximum of two terms, but does not compel a president to seek re-election.

“The first term does not guarantee the second. But saying you won’t seek it doesn’t cancel your right to do so later.”

“Obi’s Promise Won’t Fool Us” – AYCF President

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) also dismissed Obi’s one-term pledge as insincere.

“Talk is cheap,”
said Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President of AYCF.
“Peter Obi’s claim is only to attract attention. President Tinubu is doing well, and we believe he deserves to complete the southern turn before any shift in power.”

Keyamo: Obi Can’t Win the North in 2027

Minister of Aviation and former APC presidential campaign spokesperson, Festus Keyamo, weighed in on the debate during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

Keyamo said Peter Obi and his opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) lacked the electoral reach to challenge President Tinubu and the APC in 2027, especially in the northern states.

“Obi cannot break into the North. We have the governors, the structures, and the voter base,”
he said.

He also argued that the demographics that favored Obi in 2023—faith-based support, ethnic solidarity, and youth enthusiasm—would not hold in future elections if he was seen as a vice-presidential candidate or part of a merged ticket.

“The Christian vote was his in 2023 because he was the only major Christian candidate. The South-East voted based on ethnic representation. And the youths—the Obidients—wanted someone different from the older candidates,”
Keyamo said.
“But none of that guarantees him a path to victory in 2027.”

Keyamo emphasized that Tinubu’s administration is working hard to maintain support and deliver results, adding:

“The opposition is just making noise. They don’t have the numbers.”