Nigeria’s constitution is crystal clear — a president can serve up to two terms of four years each, making a total of eight years. If a sitting president loses re-election, they step aside for the winner, as we saw in 2015 when Goodluck Jonathan conceded to Muhammadu Buhari.

That’s why Peter Obi’s recent talk of serving just one term as president has sparked controversy. While it might sound noble, critics warn it’s unconstitutional and could open the door to dangerous political games.

History shows that political promises in Nigeria are often flexible — or outright broken. As Nnamdi Azikiwe once quipped: "I have my mind, and I can change my mind.

" Many believe Obi’s one-term pledge could be a calculated move, possibly backed by certain northern political power brokers who envision him stepping down early, paving the way for a northern vice president to take over and potentially serve eight more years.

In 2023, Obi captured the hearts of Nigerian youths with his fresh image and outsider status. But repeating that feat in 2027 won’t be easy. President Bola Tinubu, in just two years, has consolidated power, won defections from opposition parties, and made economic moves that appeal to many voters.

The truth? Nigerians have learned from past experiences. They understand what’s at stake and won’t easily trade stability for political experiments — no matter how attractively packaged.

The big question now is: Will Obi’s one-term promise be remembered as visionary… or as Nigeria’s next great political deception?