Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate during the 2023 election, has renewed his call for a major political reform: a single, five-year tenure for the president of Nigeria. he made the suggestion during a courtesy visit to Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on friday.
In his remarks, obi argued against the current system of allowing for a second term, stating, “i’ve said it and i want to say it again in this government house that if i have the opportunity, we should stop having a second tenure for president.” he proposed that the four-year term should be extended to five years, citing the model practiced in South Korea as a potential example.
The former presidential candidate’s renewed advocacy for a single term is a part of a broader discussion about political reforms aimed at strengthening democratic governance and reducing the potential for corruption associated with re-election campaigns.
“It should be five years straight, so that people can come in knowingly they have a job to do.
“What people do now is to be president for one year and use the rest of the years thinking about their next tenure. We must stop it, let’s face the real job, do your own and go,” he suggested.
The 2027 presidential hopeful insisted that if elected as Nigerian president in 2027, he would only serve for one term, promising that he won’t spend a day longer than four years in office.
He added that if given the opportunity to serve Nigeria, he would ensure that every political party functions properly.
Obi said, he would ensure that political parties were bigger than the elected people.
“I want the party to be bigger than the president and the governors so that we can have orderliness,” he said.
Responding, the Bauchi state governor called on Obi to come back to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), saying that that’s where he belongs.
“We want you to come back to PDP. Please come back because that is where you belong.
“We want you to be in PDP, there are plans, desires and strategies,” he said.
Mohammed further said that politics in Nigeria could not be done with ego, differences and personal interest, while calling on all oppositions to harmonise their interests in the interest of Nigerians.
