A former minority leader of the House of Representatives, Farouq Aliyu, has dismissed Peter Obiâs recent pledge to serve only one term if elected president in 2027, calling it an empty promise meant to sway voters.
Speaking on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme aired on Wednesday, Aliyu described Obiâs statement as political rhetoric, arguing that the former Anambra State governor lacks a true understanding of the realities and complexities of leading a nation like Nigeria.
Obi had said he is willing to be a one-term president if elected in 2027.
âSometimes when youâre out of the office or when youâre not in the place, you donât know. To me, itâs just rhetoric, and heâs also trying to convince people,â Aliyu said.
He said Obiâs experience as a state governor does not equip him with the perspective needed to govern a country as vast as Nigeria.
âObi is talking out of ignorance. He doesnât know. States are different from Nigeria. When you govern a small state, the horizon of a state governor is not as wide as the horizon of a president,â Aliyu added.
Aliyu also commented on the opposition coalition, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that those coming together are respected but do not pose a significant threat to the dominance of the All Progressives Congress.
âWe respect them; we admire them as Nigerian leaders, but honestly, they donât threaten us. All of them are after us. So, we need to spread our tentacles to make sure we pour sand inside their gĂ ĂĄrĂŹ,â he said.
Aliyu acknowledged that some opposition voices are constructive but are not strong enough to destabilise the ruling party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
âWhether they are going to give us a run for our money, I donât think so. It is a conglomeration of presidential candidates. Virtually all leaders of that group want to be president; unfortunately for them, only one person can be president,â he said.
