By Ibrahim Salaudeen, Lagos
Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Yabagi Sani, has said that it would be difficult for northerners to believe the proposal by the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, to run for president in 2027 and stay in office for a mere single term of four years.
Speaking during an interview with Channels TV on Tuesday, July 1, Sani said that none of the politicians having 2027 presidential ambition, including Obi, is perfect, stressing that whoever promised to serve just a single term of four years is likely to break the promise once in office.
The Daily Crucible reports that Obi had, on Sunday, June 29, in an X Space with his supporters pledged that if he wins the 2027 presidential election, he will adhere to a four-year term in office so as return power to the north in 2031 on the basis of power rotation principle.
But Sani said no politician of note in the north would trust the former governor of Anambra State to serve one term if elected into office.
The IPAC chairman maintained that when politicians assume office, the balance and dynamics of power change.
“Yes, Mr Peter Obi can agree to say ‘I am going to do one term’ but the northerners will tell you that after Bola Tinubu’s term, if he gets the (second) election, it should come to the north.
“But we are human beings. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Peter Obi is not a saint; he is not somebody who is from another planet. We have seen successive governments trying to see how they can turn the constitution around and give themselves a third term and things like that.
“This is why it would be difficult for a lot of people to believe Mr Peter Obi that after one term, he would leave. And then how would he even succeed if you look at the sentimental aspect of it, the state capture, and power of incumbency.” he said
