A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has expressed doubts over Peter Obi’s ability to keep his promise of serving only one term if elected president in 2027, warning that the former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate’s supporters might push him to stay longer.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, August 12, Sani said Obi’s sincerity was not in question, but argued that political realities and pressure from loyalists could make the pledge impractical.
“Now, Mr. Peter Obi could be very sincere, you know. After I made that comment, some other people followed up the comments, and some even went further to say that even if he went to the shrine to swear, they would not believe him,” Sani said.
“Some others said he’s just giving tales by moonlight, but by whatever way they are trying to address him, the issue I raised is not about Obi’s integrity but about how he panders to his supporters.
“Now we all know that his supporters will not agree [to the one term] because the Constitution says you are supposed to do two terms, and then you are giving promises for one term.
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“Perhaps more importantly, if his performance in the first term is something to write home about, they will now urge him to continue.
“So there are so many obstacles to that promise. It is a promise made, but may not be a promise kept. So, the issue is not whether Obi will keep the promise; it’s whether they will allow him to keep the promise.”
Obi had made the pledge during the July 1 edition of Sunday Politics, saying, “I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance.”
However, Sani maintained that the best option for the PDP in 2027 was former president Goodluck Jonathan, who, he noted, is constitutionally restricted to one term.
“So we are not looking at Jonathan from the promised angle. That has been resolved. The law has already taken care,” he said.
“He cannot do more than one term. So if he cannot do more than one term by the provisions of the law and the constitution, then the only thing remaining for him is to do that one term and go away.”