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Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has disclosed that the party’s presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, signed a formal agreement to serve only one term if elected in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Kwankwaso said the agreement formed part of the understanding that brought the coalition together ahead of the next general election.
According to him, he has no doubts that Obi will keep his word, describing the former Anambra State governor as a politician he has come to trust.
“I believe him. From what I now know about Peter Obi, I don’t think he will go back on his word or change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen, and although we trust one another, we still agreed to put everything in writing,” Kwankwaso said.
He explained that the arrangement would allow the presidency to return to the North after four years if the NDC wins the election.
“Our understanding is that we will work together as one family, one party and one team. After completing a four-year tenure in 2031, power will return to the North. That is the agreement we reached,” he added.
Kwankwaso also said his opinion of Obi had changed since the 2023 election, describing him as a serious leader who genuinely wants the best for the country.
“I now know Peter is a committed politician who has Nigeria at heart. He is someone people can rely on,” he said.
He noted that discussions between both camps revealed they shared similar ideas for Nigeria’s future, making it easier to form the alliance.
“When we compared our blueprints, we discovered that our vision and mission for the country were largely the same. That made it easy for us to come together.”
Obi has consistently maintained that he would serve only one term if elected president in 2027.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate has argued that a single four-year tenure would allow power to rotate back to the North in 2031, in line with the country’s zoning principle, which he believes is necessary for fairness, national unity and political stability.
Obi has repeatedly insisted that the pledge reflects his commitment to equitable power rotation rather than any inability to seek the constitutionally permitted second term.
