The Arewa Consultative Forum has rejected the one-term pledge made by the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, describing the promise as unnecessary, undemocratic and inconsistent with the principles of constitutional democracy.
The forum also expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after three years in office.
Speaking in an interview, the National Secretary of the ACF, Tukur Baba, argued that the issue of rotating political power among regions is not backed by the Nigerian Constitution and should not be treated as a binding democratic principle.
Obi had maintained during a television interview that four years would be enough for a committed leader to transform the country, insisting that he would honour the pledge under any circumstance.
However, Baba faulted the position, warning that institutionalising power rotation could deepen ethnic and regional divisions in the country.
“Such a promise is totally unnecessary. Power shift is not a constitutional provision; it is a matter for political parties to decide,” he said.
According to him, democracy should allow voters to freely choose leaders based on competence and performance rather than regional considerations.
Baba argued that if a president performs exceptionally well in office, it would be unfair to deny Nigerians the opportunity to re-elect such a leader simply because of an earlier political promise.
He maintained that the country’s priority should be good governance, accountability, security, quality healthcare, education and the fight against corruption rather than debates over zoning and power rotation.
The ACF official further warned that an excessive focus on regional power-sharing could eventually extend to religious considerations, potentially creating additional divisions in the country.
“If Peter Obi comes to power and begins to deliver results within two years, it would be unfair for him to insist on leaving after only one term,” he said.
Despite its criticism of Obi’s position, Baba clarified that the Arewa Consultative Forum has not endorsed any presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
