JUST IN: ‘We Should End the Idea’ – Peter Obi Reveals Intent to Halt Presidents’ Re-election

Peter Obi, Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election and a two-time governor who himself benefited from re-election, has called for the abolition of the current system that allows Nigerian presidents to serve two terms.

During a courtesy visit to Governor Bala Mohammed at the Government House in Bauchi on Friday, Obi proposed that Nigeria adopt a single five-year term for the presidency, similar to the system in South Korea.

“I’ve said it before, and I want to repeat it here at the Government House — if I have the opportunity, we should end the idea of a second term for the President,” Obi declared.

He explained that the current two-term structure distracts leaders from effective governance.

“What we see now is that a President governs for one year and then spends the remaining years focusing on re-election. We must put an end to that. Let them do their job and move on.”

Obi reaffirmed his pledge that if elected president in 2027, he would serve only a single term of four years and would not seek re-election.

The former governor, who has firsthand experience of serving two terms in Anambra State, emphasised that the change would ensure that presidents dedicate their full attention to governance without the distractions of campaigning.

In addition, Obi called for the strengthening of political institutions in Nigeria, asserting that political parties should be more powerful than individual officeholders.

“I want political parties to be bigger than the President and Governors. That way, we can ensure discipline and order,” he said.

The former governor is expected to run again for the presidency in 2027.