Photo File : Peter Obi

A chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has expressed doubts over the practicality of Peter Obi’s recent pledge to serve only one term if elected president in 2027. Speaking with Newsmen on Tuesday, Sani argued that although Obi’s integrity is not in doubt, pressure from his supporters might make it difficult for him to honour the promise.

Sani noted that the Nigerian Constitution allows a president to serve two terms, and if Obi were to perform well in his first term, his supporters might urge him to seek re-election. “There are so many obstacles to that promise. It is a promise made, but may not be a promise kept,” he said.

Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, made the one-term promise on July 1 during an appearance on a television show, stating, “I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance.” The remark has since stirred mixed reactions among political stakeholders.

While acknowledging Obi’s sincerity, Sani insisted that the proposal could face resistance from within Obi’s camp. He contrasted this with former President Goodluck Jonathan, who, by constitutional limitation, could only serve one term if re-elected, making him, in Sani’s view, a more predictable option — particularly in the interest of the northern region.

According to Sani, “If  Jonathan cannot do more than one term by the provisions of the law and the constitution, then the only thing remaining for him is to do that one term and go away.”