ACF Rejects Peter Obi’s One-Term Promise, Slams Tinubu Government’s Performance as ‘Shambolic’
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has strongly faulted the decision by the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, to publicly commit to serving only a single four-year term if elected president in 2027.
The Northern socio-cultural and political organization also delivered a harsh assessment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing its performance after three years in office as disappointing, particularly in the areas of security and economic management.
PulseNets learnt that the ACF believes Obi’s one-term pledge raises serious concerns about democratic principles and constitutional governance, arguing that such commitments could deepen divisions rather than strengthen national unity.
The position of the Forum comes amid increasing political discussions surrounding the NDC candidate’s declaration that he would spend only one term in office before returning power to Northern Nigeria.
PulseNets reported that Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, recently stated during a national television interview that four years would be sufficient for a sincere and committed leader to deliver meaningful change across the country.
The former presidential candidate further maintained that he would serve only one term and hand over power to the North, “even with a gun to my head.”
Speaking on the development, ACF National Secretary, Tukur Baba, described the pledge as unnecessary and politically misplaced.
According to him:
“such a promise is totally unnecessary, even as a campaign material, it is still very unnecessary.
“Firstly, such a power shift is not a constitutional provision. It is a matter for political parties to decide. Another leading presidential candidate had mentioned that and that is not correct.
“Secondly, it is very undemocratic, we cannot be practicing democracy and are putting all kinds of road blocks. That is not democracy.
“Thirdly, when you are rotating power from one geo-political zone to another, tomorrow, it may become a religious affair, they will come out and say it is time for so so religion.
“We have at least four hundred ethnic groups in this country and three major religious groups. The more we stick to the power shift, the more we embrace division among us.
“Why will Peter Obi make such a promise? Supposing he becomes the president of Nigeria and performs excellently well in his first tenure, would it be fair for Nigerians, North or South, men or women to say Obi will not go again because he made promises even though he is good?
“By him promising one term means he is likely not going to do his best. He is being unfair to the electorates. All we need in this country is just good governance.
“We want accountability, fair representation and good welfare of the citizens. Welfare includes security, school, health and anti-corruption drives.
“If Peter Obi comes to power and after two years we begin to see results, it will be unfair for him to say he only wants four years.
“Imagine if in two years Obi is able to tame banditry, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups across the country, then he said he wants to leave after four years, that will be unfair to those who elected him.
“If I’m to sit down with Peter Obi, I will tell him, ‘you promised one term and then return power to another region, that is being irresponsible’.
“Until we abolish tribalism and region-based politics, we may not go far as a country. We are marching backwards in reverse order”.
ACF Declares Neutral Position Ahead of 2027
The Forum’s spokesperson, however, clarified that the organization has not endorsed any presidential hopeful ahead of the next general election.
Tukur Baba told PulseNets that the ACF traditionally refrains from openly supporting or opposing political parties and candidates, insisting that voters should be allowed to make their own choices.
According to him:
“no tradition of coming out to support or oppose any candidate or political parties in the country openly.
“Rather, our job is to analyze and at the end of the day, allow the electorates to decide. Unlike other organizations in the country, we have over three hundred tribes in the North so we cannot afford to say that the North has one preferred candidate or party.
“However, the North has just one interest and the interest is different from the interest of any other citizens of the country and that is good governance, security and good economy”.
Tinubu Administration Rated Poorly by ACF
The ACF also expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of President Tinubu’s government, describing the administration’s overall record as shambolic.
Speaking to PulseNets, Tukur Baba argued that insecurity remains widespread across several parts of Nigeria despite changes made to the nation’s security architecture.
He lamented that killings, kidnappings and attacks by bandits and terrorist groups continue to spread, questioning the effectiveness of government interventions.
According to him:
“is doing well, the impact would have been felt but the issue has continued to expand until the Americans came recently.
“Bello Tunji is still in the North East, bragging on social media. Tinubu reshuffled security architecture yet no results.
“Has he ever ordered any of the security chiefs ‘bring me the head of so so bandit or terrorist dead or alive?’
“Tinubu has isolated the Aso Villa from the national grid but you and I are paying for power that we did not see.
“Prices of things are going up yet we have taxes everywhere. They keep bragging of low taxes for lower income earners but even razor blade that you buy, there is VAT in it.
“The Lagos-Calabar highway, we don’t know what is happening there, the so-called Lagos-Sokoto road, how much of it has been done? Where is the progress? Tinubu and his group, who asked for democracy are the ones sabotaging the principles of democracy today.
Also Read: Peter Obi Dismisses Goodluck Jonathan 2027 Threat After NDC Presidential Screening in Abuja
“The middle class has been totally wiped out. I am terribly disappointed in President Tinubu. This regime has taken more loans than all the previous governments put together and you and I are going to pay for it.
“So, generally, I will say the performance has been shambolic.
“Has their policies impacted citizens, oh, yes, but negatively”.
The comments add to the growing national conversation surrounding governance, economic hardship, insecurity and the political calculations already shaping the race toward the 2027 presidential election.
