Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has faulted the recent pledge by former Anambra governor Peter Obi and ex-Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi to serve only one term if elected president in 2027.
El-Rufai spoke on Sunday during an appearance on Sunday Politics, a programme aired on Channels Television.
Obi and Amaechi’s Pledge
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, recently announced his intention to contest under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2027. He pledged to serve a single four-year tenure if elected president.
Rotimi Amaechi, also linked with the ADC, has made a similar commitment, stating he would not seek re-election if given the party’s ticket and elected president.
Their statements are widely seen as attempts to secure support within the opposition coalition and align with the informal understanding of rotational power-sharing between northern and southern Nigeria. By 2027, President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, would have completed his first four years in office.
El-Rufai’s Reaction
Responding to the single-term pledge, El-Rufai argued that Nigerians generally do not take such commitments seriously.
“When people come out and say, ‘I will do one term,’ I don’t think anyone believes that,” he said.
“You should not give up a constitutional right. Having been governor for eight years, I know that four years is not enough to implement lasting change. Obi and Amaechi also know this.”ALSO READ: BREAKING: Nigerian Governor Approves Dissolution of Cabinet
He advised politicians against making promises that could raise doubts about their long-term vision for governance.
ADC Coalition Ahead of 2027
El-Rufai, Obi, and Amaechi are part of the opposition coalition that has adopted the ADC as its platform for the 2027 general elections. The coalition aims to present a strong challenge to President Tinubu.
While Obi and Amaechi have openly declared interest in the ADC ticket, El-Rufai has not formally announced his ambition. However, there are growing indications that he may enter the race.
