2027 Ticket: Kwankwaso confirms written one-term pact with Obi

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate for Nigeria's Democratic Congress, has confirmed a written pact with presidential candidate Peter Obi to serve only one four-year term if elected in 2027. Kwankwaso revealed the agreement, stating that both he and Obi signed separate documents, including one for the party, to ensure power returns to the North after a single southern tenure.

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Oh yes, I personally believe him and… I don’t think, based on what I now know about him… he will change his mind when the time comes, and we are all gentlemen, even though we have accepted to put it on paper.

During an interview on Channels Television, Kwankwaso expressed confidence in Obi's commitment, noting, "We are all gentlemen, even though we have accepted to put it on paper." He elaborated that the agreement outlines a plan for Obi to serve from 2027 to 2031, after which the presidency would revert to the North. This arrangement, he believes, fosters national unity and allows both regions to participate in governance.

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The agreement is what you said, that after four years… we will work together, team together as a group, as a party, as friends, brothers and so on… so that after his term, or our term, of four years, 2027 to 2031, then it comes back to the North, and that is the general agreement.

Kwankwaso also addressed his decision to accept the vice-presidential slot, explaining that the current political climate supports a southern presidency for four years before power moves north. He emphasized that this consensus is crucial for national cohesion. While focused on the immediate goal of winning the 2027 election, Kwankwaso acknowledged that the party also has medium and long-term plans for Nigeria.

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Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North. We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so that we can move together as a family, both North and South.

Peter Obi had previously pledged to serve only one term if elected, stating in May that he would not exceed four years in office for the sake of stability. "I would not stay a day, with a gun to my head, longer than four years," Obi had said.

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I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day, with a gun to my head, longer than four years.