Kwankwaso: Obi signed written one-term presidency pact ahead of 2027 poll
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has disclosed that the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, signed a written agreement committing to serve only one term if elected president.
Speaking on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Kwankwaso said the agreement formed a key part of the alliance that brought both leaders together ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to him, he has confidence that Obi will honour the commitment, describing the former Anambra State governor as a dependable politician with the country’s best interests at heart.
“I personally believe him. Based on what I now know about him, I don’t think he will renege. I don’t think he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen, even though we have accepted to put it on paper,” Kwankwaso said.
He explained that the arrangement was designed to ensure the presidency returns to northern Nigeria after a four-year tenure.
“We will work together as a group, as a party, as friends, brothers and so on and involve everybody to work together so that after our term of four years in 2031, then it (presidency) comes back to the north. That is the general agreement,” he added.
Kwankwaso also said his perception of Obi had changed since the 2023 elections, describing him as a serious politician committed to Nigeria’s development.
“I now know that Peter is a very serious politician; he has this country in mind. He is someone to be relied on,” he said.
He further noted that both politicians discovered they shared similar policy priorities during discussions that led to their alliance.
“When we compared our blueprints, mine and his, we realised that we have a similar vision and mission for the country.
That was why it was very easy for us to agree to work together as a family,” he said.
Obi has consistently maintained that he would serve only a single four year term if elected president in 2027.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate has argued that the pledge is intended to allow power to rotate back to the North in 2031, in line with Nigeria’s zoning principle, which he says promotes national unity, equity and political stability.
He has also insisted that the decision is driven by his commitment to the country’s power-sharing arrangement rather than a desire to remain in office for the maximum two terms permitted under the Constitution.
