Amaechi Pledges One-Term Presidency in 2027, Citing Power-Sharing Principle

Abuja, Nigeria – Former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared his willingness to serve only a single term if elected president in 2027, emphasizing the critical need to uphold Nigeria's unwritten power-sharing agreement between the North and South. Amaechi made this commitment during an appearance on Channels Television’s "Politics Today" on Thursday.

When questioned about a potential single term under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a recently formed political coalition that has yet to finalize its zoning formula, Amaechi stated, "If I won’t do more than four years, I would say that. If I were to do more than four years, I would say I would do more than four." He confidently affirmed that a southern candidate could indeed serve a single term, stressing that "For now, the way Nigeria is, you must keep to that agreement—unwritten agreement—that says South eight years, North eight years.”

Nigeria operates on an informal but widely respected principle of rotational presidency, alternating between the North and South. The current President, Bola Tinubu, a southerner, assumed office in 2023, following the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.

With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, discussions around power rotation have intensified. Amaechi, a key figure in the newly formed ADC coalition, expressed his belief that the party would respect this balance. He recounted his role in advocating for the return of power to the North in 2015, underscoring his strong belief in this power-sharing arrangement.

"I led the fight against the PDP government. Why? Because there was an agreement that the government at that time would spend four years. But after four years, the government reneged on it, and I said no, that would be unfair. That will be instability at its peak because the North will react," Amaechi explained. "So, the best thing to do is what? It is to support a northern candidate to continue the balance of power. Just like I will be among those saying to the North that the South must be allowed to complete its tenure. If the South is not allowed to complete its tenure, then I have made a mistake in supporting it."

Amaechi's declaration follows a similar assurance from former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who recently confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election and expressed willingness to serve only one term in office. Obi, according to a statement issued by his media team, also affirmed his readiness to leave office by May 28, 2031, if a one-term agreement becomes a condition for coalition support. Obi has also pledged to bring stability to Nigeria within two years if elected.