Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for Nigeria to adopt a single five-year term for the office of president, arguing it would improve governance and end the distractions of re-election politics.
Obi made the proposal on Friday during a courtesy visit to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
He said the current two-term arrangement encourages leaders to prioritise political survival over national development.
“It should be five years straight, so people come in knowing they have a job to do. What people do now is to be president for one year and spend the rest of the time thinking about their next tenure. We must stop it, do your job and go,” Obi stated.
The 2027 presidential hopeful pledged that if elected, he would serve only one term and focus on strengthening Nigeria’s political institutions. Obi added that political parties should operate independently and be “bigger than the president and governors” to maintain order in the system.
In response, Governor Mohammed invited Obi to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, describing it as his political base, while also urging opposition parties to unite.
He warned that ego, personal differences, and self-interest could derail efforts to improve governance in the country.
The exchange comes amid heightened political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections, as opposition figures seek common ground to challenge the ruling party’s dominance.
