NDC Defends Obi’s One-Term Presidency Pledge, Says Four-Year Tenure Is Constitutional

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended Peter Obi’s pledge to serve only one term if elected president in 2027, dismissing claims that the commitment amounts to a four-year political gamble.

The party was reacting to remarks by former Imo State Governor and Senator, Rochas Okorocha, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

In a statement signed by Mallam Ibrahim Hussain Abdulkarim, Director-General of the NDC National Campaign Council, the party said a single presidential term was constitutionally permissible and should not be viewed as a political risk.

The NDC cited Section 135(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for a four-year presidential tenure and permits a president to seek another term.

It argued that the use of the word “may” makes a second term optional rather than compulsory, insisting that Obi’s proposal was therefore consistent with the Constitution.

The party acknowledged Okorocha’s description of Obi as “a fantastic gentleman; clear in his head” but disagreed with his characterisation of the one-term pledge as a gamble.

According to the NDC, Obi’s commitment to serve for four years, subject his administration to performance assessment and hand over power in 2031 in recognition of the North’s turn to produce the next president represents a commitment to national stability.

The party described the pledge as a performance bond, arguing that leadership should be measured by achievements rather than the length of time spent in office.

It also criticised Nigeria’s political leadership record between 2015 and 2023, alleging that the eight-year administration during the period was characterised by rising inflation, naira depreciation, growing public debt, poverty and insecurity.

The NDC maintained that Nigeria’s development challenges were not necessarily caused by insufficient time in office but by the failure of successive administrations to translate political power into tangible results.

It said Obi’s proposed four-year tenure would be focused on delivering measurable outcomes rather than pursuing an extended stay in office.

The statement concluded that the one-term proposal was not a gamble but “a rescue mission with a deadline.”