Peter Obi proposes single 5-year tenure for Nigerian President

Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has proposed a single five-year term for the Office of the President in Nigeria.

Obi made the proposal during a visit to Bauchi on Friday when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Bala Mohammed.

He argued that the current system allowing for a second term should be scrapped and replaced with a single five-year tenure, similar to what is practiced in South Korea.

“I’ve said it before, and I want to repeat it here at the Government House — if I have the opportunity, we should end the idea of a second term for the President.

“It should be a single five-year term so that leaders come in, focus, and do the work required of them.

“What we see now is that a President governs for one year and then spends the remaining years focusing on re-election. We must put an end to that. Let them do their job and move on,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2027, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to serving only one term if elected President, pledging not to exceed four years in office.

He also reiterated the need for strong political institutions, vowing to ensure that political parties function independently and effectively.

“I want political parties to be bigger than the President and Governors. That way, we can ensure discipline and order,” he added.