Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has dismissed the one-term presidency promises made by Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi as unrealistic and incredulous, arguing that meaningful change cannot be achieved in just four years.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, El-Rufai, himself a two-term governor, emphasized that neither Nigerians nor political insiders believe such pledges.
“On the question of people coming out and saying, ‘I will do one term,’ I don’t think anyone believes that… You should not constitutionally give up what is yours.”
He further stated that both Obi and Amaechi—having served as state governors—are well aware that transformative governance requires time.
“Four years is not enough… stop making these commitments… because nobody believes you.”
El-Rufai also reflected on his backing for the power shift to the South in the 2023 elections, stating it stemmed from a gentleman’s agreement among APC leaders, not mere political expediency. He stressed that zoning remains a political tool aligned with electoral strategy, and that decisions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—including zoning—will be made once the party structure is fully organised.
