Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has cautioned Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, against promising to serve only one term if elected in 2027, saying Nigeria’s political dynamics make such pledges difficult to keep.
Obi has consistently expressed his willingness to do just one term in office. However, during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, Governor Sule warned that the realities of governance are far more complex than campaign promises suggest.
“Peter Obi might say he wants to do one term, but it’s not up to him,” Sule said. “Once he gets into office, there will be powerful interests pushing back—telling him, ‘It’s our turn,’ or threatening legal action if he tries to step down early.”
He explained that while a president may begin with the intention of serving a single term, political pressure and the sheer scale of Nigeria’s challenges often make that goal unworkable. Four years, he argued, is rarely enough to implement the level of reform the country requires.
Speaking about the current administration, Sule praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in the economic and security sectors. He highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which he said now stand at around $40 billion, and an increase in daily oil production from 1.1 million to 1.8 million barrels.
“This is a government heading in the right direction,” he said. “They are working hard to restore confidence in the country’s future.”
Sule also acknowledged ongoing issues with insecurity but noted that higher revenues at both state and federal levels now provide more resources to tackle those challenges.
“There are still problems, no doubt. I was there when the President himself acknowledged them,” Sule added. “But with improved revenue, governors and local government chairmen must use those resources to directly impact the lives of people who are struggling.”
