Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, political stakeholders in the South-East are divided over the single-term proposal of Labour Party’s 2023 candidate, Peter Obi.

Obi had in August 2025 declared that if elected, he would serve only one five-year term, arguing that Nigerian presidents spend too much time preparing for re-election rather than governing. He likened the model to South Korea’s single-term presidency.

“It should be five years straight so that people come in knowing they have a job to do,” Obi said during a courtesy visit to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

His statement has since sparked mixed reactions among political leaders and analysts in the Southeast.

Skeptics:
National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), Kenneth Udeze, described Obi’s pledge as more of a political strategy than a realistic plan.

According to him, Obi’s one-term vow could be a way of wooing Nigerians across regions who are wary of long-term incumbency.

Udeze added that four to five years was not enough to fix deep-rooted problems such as insecurity, corruption, and weak institutions.

“Even in America, one term was not enough for Donald Trump to achieve his agenda. In Nigeria, with our level of corruption and distractions, four years is not sufficient,” he argued.

Supporters:
On the other hand, Chyma Anthony, the APGA candidate for Imo East Senatorial District in 2023, said Obi’s proposal was a welcome idea, insisting that transformative changes can be achieved within a single term.

He argued that Nigerians are less concerned about tenure length and more about delivery.

“Even if you lead for one year and make things better, Nigerians will accept you. Four years is enough to reposition institutions and tackle insecurity,” Anthony said.

2027 Outlook:
Analysts note that Obi’s proposal may boost his appeal across geopolitical zones, especially among voters disillusioned with the traditional two-term presidency.

Anthony also suggested that Obi still stands a chance of going head-to-head with President Bola Tinubu in 2027, pointing out that he won Lagos and other key states in the 2023 polls.

“Anybody can win in 2027 if they show capacity to fix Nigeria’s challenges. The electorate is tired of suffering,” he added.

For now, Obi’s one-term presidency remains a subject of debate, with its feasibility hinging on possible constitutional amendment and his ability to build consensus across Nigeria’s political divide.