Peter Obi’s One-Term Agenda: A Real Reform or South-East’s Political Sacrifice?
As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 presidential election, the single-term agenda put forward by the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has continued to stir debate, especially among stakeholders in the South-East.
While some citizens believe Obi could transform the country within four or five years as he has suggested, others insist such a timeframe is too short to repair Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges.
Obi first raised eyebrows in the political space when he proposed a single tenure of five years, rejecting the idea of a second term.
During a courtesy visit to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed in August 2025, Obi reiterated his position, saying Nigeria should emulate South Korea’s model. He explained:
“I have said it before and I want to say it again. If I ever get the opportunity, there should be no second tenure for a president. It should be five years straight, so leaders come in knowing they have a job to do. Right now, people spend the first year ruling and the remaining years preparing for re-election. We must end that and focus on real governance.”
His statement immediately triggered conversations nationwide, with some interpreting it as a bold reform agenda while others dismissed it as political marketing.
Action Alliance Chair Warns Against Taking Obi Seriously
In reaction, the National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), Kenneth Udeze, told PulseNets that Nigerians should be careful not to take Obi’s declaration at face value.
Udeze argued that the one-term proposal looked more like a strategic attempt to attract sympathy from both North and South ahead of 2027. He said:
“From my understanding, Peter Obi’s one-term stance is a personal opinion. It is not grounded in constitutional reality. I see it as a political strategy, a way to woo Nigerians by making them believe he only wants four years. But if elected, the temptation for a second term will always be there, as history has shown.”
He continued:
“In this country, politicians often change their minds. They may start by promising just one term, but along the line, people come forward urging them to continue. That is why I say such pronouncements cannot be swallowed hook, line and sinker.”
The AA Chairman maintained that four years would be insufficient to tackle Nigeria’s deeply rooted problems, noting that insecurity, corruption, and policy instability usually consume the bulk of any administration’s first term.
He explained further to PulseNets:
“If Obi now says five years, then the constitution must be amended and approved by lawmakers. Even then, I don’t see any Nigerian leader who can fully reposition this country in just one term. Nigeria has been damaged by years of corruption at every level. It would take more than four or five years to change our national orientation and restore integrity in governance.”
“One-Term Presidency is Still Achievable” – Chyma Anthony
But not everyone agrees. Chyma Anthony, the 2023 Imo East senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), told PulseNets that Obi’s proposal was a welcome idea, insisting that a leader with vision can achieve plenty within four or five years.
Anthony stated:
“One-term presidency is not a bad idea at all. In fact, four years is enough for a serious leader to bring change. Nigerians don’t care where the president comes from anymore. What they want is someone who will deliver results.”
He pointed out that Obi already demonstrated his ability to inspire followership in 2023, where his entry into the Labour Party dramatically altered the outcome of several elections. “The man has reach and he has followership. He cost me an election,” Anthony admitted.
Comparing governance to child development, Anthony added:
“If a child is born today, in four years that child is walking. That’s progress. In the same way, institutions like the police and judiciary can be reformed within four years if there is commitment. We shouldn’t assume that progress requires eight years.”
Anthony also criticized Nigeria’s economic system, particularly the currency structure, arguing that simple reforms could transform the economy within a single tenure.
Obi Versus Tinubu in 2027?
Speaking on the possibility of Obi facing President Bola Tinubu again in 2027, Anthony did not rule out an upset. He recalled that Obi secured victory in Lagos during the 2023 polls, despite Tinubu’s long political dominance in the state.
Also Read: Revealed: Details of Peter Obi’s Private Strategy Meeting with Goodluck Jonathan
He said:
“Nothing is impossible in politics. Nigerians are tired. Even in the North, people want change. This is no longer about ethnicity or region. People are suffering from insecurity, fake foods, poor economy, and bad governance. What they want now is a leader who can rescue the country.”
Anthony concluded that whether one-term or not, Nigeria urgently needs leadership that will prioritize solutions over political ambition.
