2027 Ambition: Peter Obi Vows Single Term Presidency, Reaffirms Commitment to Zoning

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, has confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, making a striking pledge to serve for only one four-year term if elected. This declaration was made during an X Space interactive session with his supporters on Sunday night, June 29, 2025, and subsequently confirmed by his media team on Monday.

Obi tied his one-term promise to the nation’s unwritten agreement on power rotation between Nigeria’s southern and northern regions. He articulated that if the presidency returns to the South in 2027, the occupant should be prepared to cede power by May 28, 2031, to allow for the rotation to the North.

“If you take the arrangement which is, understandably, what you can call an unwritten agreement that power would go south and north, and if that arrangement is to be followed strictly, you would see that anybody, not just me, who happens to come from the south as president in 2027 must be ready to leave on the 28th of May (not 29th), 2031,” Obi stated. He reiterated his long-standing belief in zoning, citing his adherence to it during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.

Beyond the rotational principle, Obi emphasized that his willingness for a single term is driven by a desire to focus solely on addressing Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges without the distraction of seeking re-election. “If the coalition is about sharing tickets and power for its sake, count me out. I’m not interested,” he declared, stressing his focus on partnerships that genuinely seek to “stop the killings in Borno, put food on people’s tables, and get our industries working.”

He promised to bring stability to Nigeria within two years of his administration, urging current leaders to concentrate on governance rather than foreign trips. Obi also vowed to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic fabric by fostering a robust opposition and discouraging the prevalent trend of elected officials defecting to other parties. “My presidency will ensure there is a strong opposition in party politics. There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge,” he affirmed.

While confirming his participation in ongoing coalition talks with other political actors, Obi dismissed any immediate possibility of a joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, asserting that any alliance must be solely centered on patriotic goals and a commitment to national transformation.