The National Campaign Council of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended Peter Obi’s pledge to serve only one term if elected president in 2027, describing it as a sacrifice for national stability rather than a gamble.
The council was responding to comments by former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who described the single-term pledge as “a four-year gambling” that the south-east cannot afford. Okorocha made the remark during a television interview on Thursday.
In a statement signed by Director-General Mallam Ibrahim Hussain Abdulkarim and posted on X on Friday, the council argued that the one-term arrangement is constitutional.
“Section 135(2) of the 1999 Constitution provides that a President shall leave office after four years and may seek a further four years. In law, ‘may’ is permissive, not mandatory. A single term is therefore constitutional. It is not a gamble,” the statement read.
The council asserted that Nigeria already tested an eight-year tenure between 2015 and 2023.
“The result was rising inflation, a weakened naira, soaring public debt, widespread poverty, and insecurity across the country. That is the real balance sheet of prolonged tenure without performance,” it said.
A Performance Bond
The council described Obi’s offer as a performance bond.
“He has pledged to serve one term, to be judged strictly by results, and to hand over power in 2031 in recognition that it is the turn of the North. This is sacrifice for national stability. Leadership is measured by impact, not duration,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore faced criticism on social media after attacking Obi over a doctors’ strike during his tenure as Anambra State governor.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Sowore alleged that the “longest recorded doctors’ strike in human history” took place in Anambra during Obi’s administration.
He also accused Obi of converting state funds into dollars and keeping them in banks where he allegedly had financial interests.
Social Media Backlash
Sowore’s comments triggered mixed reactions. Several Facebook users questioned his decision to attack another opposition figure rather than presenting his own policy proposals.
Ezechona Ezimuo wrote, “This man might be going crazy, you people will not know.”
Ugochukwu Igwe asked, “What if Sowore is mad but we don’t know?”
Ekechukwu Benneth told Sowore to investigate the circumstances surrounding the strike. “Oga, go and read what caused the strike, you’ll love him for being a firm leader and insisting on the right thing!” he wrote.
Ezegwu Jude Kelechi defended Obi’s record, arguing that the former governor brought accountability to Anambra’s health sector.
“Peter Obi brought sanity to the health sector in Anambra. He swept corruption out, and corruption fought back, but he didn’t bow to their pressure until accountability and order was restored,” he wrote.
Cyril Ogah accused Sowore of bitterness. “You sound like you’re bitter and jealous of other people’s shine,” he wrote.
Akintola Jeremiah challenged Sowore to explain his own solutions.
“Omoyele Sowore, what have you personally done to improve healthcare in your community? Stop hiding behind criticism and tell Nigerians what you would do differently,” he asked.
