Four years not enough, El-Rufai slams one-term pledges by Obi, Amaechi
A former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has advised former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and his ex-Anambra State counterpart, Peter Obi, to desist from making one-term presidency pledges, saying Nigerians do not believe such promises.
El-Rufai spoke on Sunday during an appearance on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme.
Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has consistently said he would serve only one term if elected president in 2027, insisting that four years is enough to reset Nigeria.
He also argued that history shows purposeful leadership is defined by impact, not tenure length.
Similarly, Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation and now a member of the African Democratic Congress, said he would be willing to serve just one term if he secures his party’s presidential ticket.
He stated that he would step down after four years to promote rotation and stability.
Reacting to the claims, El-Rufai dismissed the idea, noting that both men, having governed their respective states, should know that four years is not sufficient to deliver meaningful reforms.
“Now, on the question of people coming out and saying, I will do one term, I don’t think anyone believes that.
“I don’t think it is right. You should not constitutionally give up what is yours. And frankly, as someone who has been governor for eight years, and Amaechi and Peter Obi have both been governors, they know the time it takes to make meaningful change in government. Four years is not enough,” he said.
The former governor added that politicians who make such pledges often change their minds once they assume office.
“So, I want to appeal to everyone to stop making these commitments of ‘I will do four years’ or ‘I will do eight years’, because nobody believes you,” he added.
El-Rufai also explained that his support for power shift to the South in the 2023 election stemmed from an agreement reached by leaders of the All Progressives Congress during the party’s formation.
He revealed that he mobilised northern governors to back the decision without considering the plans of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
According to him, zoning remains a political strategy deployed by parties to enhance their chances of winning elections.
Source: Punch
