Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has cautioned Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that Nigeria’s political realities make it difficult for any president to keep a one-term promise.

 

Obi has, on several occasions, stated that he would serve only one term if elected president in 2027. But speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, Governor Sule advised the former Anambra State governor and other aspirants not to underestimate the complexities of governance and the pressure from entrenched interests.

 

“Peter Obi might say he wants to do one term, but it is not up to him,” Sule remarked. “Once he assumes office, powerful interests will pressure him, saying, ‘It’s our turn; you cannot do that to us,’ ‘we cannot allow you to do that,’ and even threaten, ‘we will take you to court if you do that.’”

 

The governor stressed that the scope of Nigeria’s challenges means four years is insufficient to implement lasting reforms. According to him, political realities, combined with the demands of office, often push leaders into seeking a second term, whether or not they initially planned to.

 

Turning his attention to the current administration, Sule commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts in stabilising the economy and tackling insecurity. He highlighted significant gains in oil production and foreign reserves.

 

“This government is indeed going in the right direction,” Sule said. “The government has worked very hard to improve our foreign reserve, which is somewhere around $40 billion today, and to boost oil production from roughly 1.1 million to about 1.8 million barrels per day. Yes, we are still having problems with insecurity, but there are now more resources available for both states and the federal government to fight it.”

 

While acknowledging persistent economic and security challenges, Sule urged governors and local government chairmen to use improved revenues to directly impact citizens’ lives.

 

“If the president doesn’t believe there are challenges, he wouldn’t say that himself,” the governor noted. “This is the time for all levels of government to work together to address the real issues facing Nigerians.”