Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and a prominent figure in Nigeria's opposition coalition, has called for a significant constitutional reform: instituting a single five-year term for the presidency, modeled after South Korea's system.
During a visit to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on August 8, Obi emphasized that eliminating the possibility of re-election would compel Nigerian presidents to focus solely on governance rather than political survival.
“It should be five years straight. Come in, do the job, and go. No second term,” Obi stated, referencing South Korea’s model where presidents serve a single five-year term without the option for re-election.
Obi criticized the current system, where leaders often spend their first year governing and the remaining years strategizing for re-election. He argued that this approach hampers effective governance and distracts from addressing national issues.
This proposal aligns with Obi's longstanding commitment to a one-term presidency. Earlier this month, he reaffirmed his vow to serve only a single four-year term if elected in 2027, asserting that transformative leadership does not require prolonged tenure but rather focus and integrity.
Obi's advocacy for a single-term presidency is part of a broader effort to reform Nigeria's political landscape. He has joined forces with other opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar and David Mark, to form a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections.
The proposal has sparked discussions nationwide, with supporters praising its potential to enhance accountability and critics questioning its feasibility. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, debates over term limits and governance reforms are expected to intensify.
