Politics

Peter Obi’s ‘one-term presidency’ stirs controversy among Northern stakeholders

Published

10 months ago

August 7, 2025

The one-term presidency pledge by the former Labour Party’s presidential candidate and key member of the opposition coalition, Peter Obi has stirred controversy among Northern stakeholders.

Obi has continued to affirm a one-term presidency of four years if elected president in 2027.

Over the weekend, Obi said his push for a one-term presidency remains sacrosanct.

Stressing that his word remains his bond, the former Anambra State governor said: “It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct.

“I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities. Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word.

“But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words – whose integrity is built on verifiable precedent.”

Politicians break rules, Nigerians should interrogate candidates more – Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

Commenting on Obi’s affirmation, former Political Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said though politicians are known for breaking the rules, stressing that anything is possible.

Baba-Ahmed charged Nigerians to be more critical and make demands from their candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking with Ekwutosblog, he said: “I have no idea because there are so many permutations and I think politicians are breaking the rules but right now, as we speak, anything is possible in this country.

“I hope that as we get closer to the elections, Nigerians will interrogate every candidate so that they will be specific in terms of what they want to do about the security of the country, about the high cost of living in terms of the collapse of the independence of education and healthcare.

“I hope Nigerians will press every candidate irrespective of the party, we need to pin our candidates down and ask for specific promises.”

Nigerians should be careful who they elect president, govs in 2027

The former presidential aide said Nigerians should be careful in picking their president and State governors in 2027.

He insisted that Nigeria needs good people with the political will to fight for the good of the country.

Baba-Ahmed said: “I can’t tell you what they would do when they become President but my view is that Nigerians should be very careful about who they elect as president and governors in 2027, it’s very important because we need good people, honest people, people who have the political will to fight, protect Nigerians, and protect the assets of Nigerians.

“Yes, four years is enough. If you come with a set of ideas that are realistic and relevant to the circumstances under which you govern, you pick a good team to work with you, and you pick a good team to work with you, and you avoid the temptation to seek for power rather than the capacity to govern, yes four years is very good.”

Four years enough to turn Nigeria around

Baba-Ahmed also affirmed that four years is enough for a president with the right ideas to turn the tide around in Nigeria.

He said: “It wasn’t by accident that those who drafted the constitution said you have four years then you can come back for another four years.

“Four years is good enough and if you are good enough to seek another mandate, we will measure you on the basis of your first four years, so I don’t have a problem with four years.”

North can’t trust Peter Obi to be president for just one term – Ex- Arewa Forum Sec Gen, Sani

On his part, a former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Anthony Sani, said the North can’t trust Obi to keep to his words of one-term presidency.

Sani said Obi’s pledge of one-term presidency is not based on performance but informed by expedience.

Speaking with Ekwutosblog, he said Obi reserved the right to run for two-terms as allowed by the Nigerian constitution.

He said: “I would say the political arithmetic is simple. Peter Obi’s pledge to do only one term of four years from 2027 to 2031 is informed more by his desire to seek accommodation by the politics of zoning which makes it mandatory for the presidency to leave the South in 2031 to the North.

“President Bola Tinubu is the only southerner who has only one term of four years (2027-2031) to go. Any other aspirant is constitutionally allowed to do a maximum of two terms of four years each.

“Naturally, Northerners would prefer President Bola Tinubu to Peter Obi due to the term limits for the two of them: Bola Tinubu has only one term left while Peter Obi can do two terms.

“That is what has compelled Peter Obi to pledge he would do one term from 2027 to 2031.The pledge is not based on performance but informed by expedience.

“And given the nature of politics which is about group goals, group interest, group cohesion,group coherence and even group conspiracy, the decision to recontest after one term would not be taken by Peter Obi alone.

“His group will have a say. As a result, northerners may not trust that Peter Obi will leave office after one term.”

Politics

Fubara To Contest Rivers Governorship Seat Under NDC

Published

8 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Rivers State politician, Blessing Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The politician has already obtained both the nomination and expression of interest forms needed to participate in the governorship race ahead of the 2027 election.

Blessing Fubara shares the same surname and local government area with the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Both men are from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. However, there has been no confirmation that they are family members.

The Chairman of the NDC in Rivers State, Success Jack, confirmed that Blessing Fubara is among those seeking the party’s governorship ticket.

He also stated that he could not confirm whether the governorship aspirant is related to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

According to him, the party is preparing seriously for the 2027 general elections and hopes to win not only the governorship seat but other elective positions in Rivers State.

The development comes weeks after Blessing Fubara left the All Progressives Congress and joined the NDC.

Following his defection in Abuja, he was received by former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, alongside other leaders and members of the party.

After joining the NDC, Blessing Fubara said his decision was taken for the interest of Rivers people.

He also stated that the future of the state must be protected ahead of the next general election, expressing confidence that the state would experience positive changes after the 2027 polls.

Politics

Desmond Elliot Withdraws from APC Lagos Assembly Primaries, Cites Intimidation

Published

15 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Surulere I lawmaker Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress Lagos House of Assembly primaries, citing intimidation across multiple zones.

In a viral video posted online, the lawmaker said he was stepping out of the race despite seeking re-election under the APC. He alleged that his supporters faced intimidation during the process in several parts of the constituency.

Elliot’s decision came as the primaries held across Lagos on Tuesday. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere Federal Constituency, praised the conduct of the exercise in Surulere, describing it as peaceful.

The withdrawal narrows the contest for the APC ticket in Surulere I ahead of the 2027 general election. Party officials in Lagos have not yet responded to Elliot’s claims, and the APC state chapter has not announced whether the primary in the constituency will proceed with other aspirants.

Elliot has represented Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYkCaAiMxxt/?igsh=ZWw5czl6MHJhNnRy

Politics

Political Shockwave in Rivers as Fubara Pulls Out of APC Governorship Race, Backs Party’s Candidate

Published

15 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries scheduled to take place on Thursday, a development that has stirred fresh political conversations across the state.

The governor announced his decision in a personally signed statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” which was released on Wednesday night.

In the statement, Fubara explained that his withdrawal followed wide consultations with political associates, stakeholders, and supporters. He stated that the decision was taken in the overall interest of peace, unity, and stability within the APC and Rivers State at large.

According to the governor, politics should not be allowed to divide the people or create unnecessary tension within the party. He stressed that preserving unity among party members and maintaining stability in the state remain more important than personal political ambition.

Fubara further pledged his total loyalty and support to whoever eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate, assuring party faithful that he remains committed to the success and progress of the party ahead of the next general elections.

The Rivers governor also appreciated his supporters across the state for standing by him throughout the political process. He thanked party leaders, youth groups, women supporters, and political associates who had continued to show him solidarity and encouragement.

He urged his supporters not to see his withdrawal as the end of his political journey, but rather as a decision made in the collective interest of the party and the state. He also appealed to them to remain peaceful, united, and committed to the ideals of the APC.

Political observers have described the development as one of the biggest political surprises in Rivers State in recent times, especially considering the growing speculations and intense political alignments ahead of the governorship primaries.

Analysts believe the governor’s withdrawal may reshape the political calculations within the APC and influence the direction of the party’s governorship race moving forward.

The announcement has continued to generate mixed reactions from political stakeholders and residents across Rivers State. While some supporters described the move as strategic and mature, others expressed surprise over the governor’s sudden exit from the contest.

Several party faithful, however, commended Fubara for placing party unity and stability above personal ambition, noting that his decision may help reduce internal tensions and strengthen the APC ahead of the elections.

The development has also intensified attention on the remaining aspirants contesting for the APC governorship ticket, as consultations and political meetings continue ahead of the primary election.

Many observers believe the governor’s endorsement of the eventual APC candidate could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the party’s governorship battle and future political structure in the state.

As political activities continue to gather momentum in Rivers State, all eyes are now on the APC primaries and the next phase of political developments expected to unfold in the coming days.