Bauchi: Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, has proposed a five-year single term for the President of Nigeria.
Obi made this statement in Bauchi on Friday during a courtesy visit to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
He emphasized that there should be no option for a second term for the president and suggested that instead of the current four-year tenure, it should be extended to five years, similar to the practice in South Korea.
“I’ve said it before and want to reiterate in this government house that if I have the opportunity, we should stop having a second term for the president.
According to him, the tenure should be a straight five years, so that leaders can come in knowing full-well that “they have a job to do,” he stated.
“What happens now is that presidents spend the first year in office thinking about re-election for the remaining years. We must put an end to this cycle; let’s focus on the real work, complete our terms, and step aside,” he suggested.
As a hopeful for the 2027 presidential election, Obi asserted that if elected, he would serve only one term, promising that he would not spend a single day longer than four years in office.
He also mentioned that he would ensure all political parties operate effectively. “I want the parties to be bigger than the elected officials, which will help maintain orderliness,” he added.
In response, Governor Mohammed invited Obi to return to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that it is where he truly belongs.
“We want you to rejoin the PDP. Please come back because that is where you belong. We have plans, desires, and strategies,” he said.
Mohammed also remarked that politics in Nigeria cannot be built on ego, differences, or personal interests, urging all opposition parties to unite for the benefit of Nigerians.
