Obi’s single term proposal unbelievable, can’t be trusted – Sani

July 01, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Yabagi Sani, has expressed skepticism over former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s proposal to serve for a single term of four years if elected president in 2027.

Sani made this known in an interview with Channels Television, monitored by The Yoruba Times.

According to Sani, none of the politicians vying for the presidency in 2027, including Obi, is immune to the corrupting influence of power.

“Peter Obi is not a saint; he is not somebody who is from another planet,” Sani said.

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Sani noted that the dynamics of power change when politicians assume office, and they often seek to perpetuate themselves in power.

“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.”

The IPAC chair emphasized that it would be difficult for many people to believe Obi’s promise to leave office after one term, given the power of incumbency and the sentimental aspect of state capture.

“How would he even succeed if you look at the sentimental aspect of it, the state capture, and power of incumbency,” Sani added.

Sani also highlighted the principle of rotation of power, stating that the northern region should produce the country’s president after an eight-year rule by the south.

With President Bola Tinubu set to complete his four-year term in May 2027 and seeking re-election, Sani believes the north should be given the opportunity to produce the next president.