Sule Lamido, the former Governor of Jigawa State and a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has indicated his readiness to support Mr. Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 Presidential election, provided he becomes the coalition's candidate.
Similarly, the Middle Belt Forum has stated that they may have no alternative but to align with Peter Obi, emphasizing that the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 election has a proven history of fulfilling commitments.
In response to an inquiry regarding his potential support for Obi, who has pledged to serve a single four-year term if victorious in the 2027 presidential election, Lamido remarked, “If the coalition nominates Peter Obi or any other individual dedicated to the restoration of Nigeria, I will lend my support. However, I remain a member of the PDP. We ought to have transcended tribal and regional biases.
Leadership ought to be based on competence and vision, rather than geographical considerations. What benefits has the North derived from producing the majority of presidents if the region continues to be underdeveloped? I am receptive to any arrangement that can challenge the APC and aid in the recovery of Nigeria. I will support those who share this objective.” The former governor elaborated that the zoning arrangement between the North and South was a construct of the PDP aimed at addressing a particular issue, namely the annulment of the June 12 election. He stated, “It was intended as a healing mechanism, a temporary solution to restore trust. However, it has now become a burden.”
Peter Obi has a proven history of fulfilling commitments — Middle Belt Forum, MBF
In its statement, the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, noted that due to the lack of viable options in the North, they may be compelled to support Peter Obi and his commitment to serve a single term if elected President in 2027, given his track record of honoring promises. The National President of MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, asserted that the North would have no choice but to back a candidate from the South whom they can trust, as any attempt to nominate a candidate from the North may not be successful. He mentioned that they might support Peter Obi due to his commitment or former President Goodluck Jonathan, provided he is permitted, considering that the law would only allow him a single term.
Dr. Pogu stated, "I would like to express that a person who is drowning would not hesitate to grasp at a straw, believing it could save him. Therefore, in the predicament that the North currently faces, I do not believe they have many options. Finding a Northerner to run is challenging, and they must place their trust in someone with a proven history of reliability, which appears to be the case with Peter Obi.
However, the current concern is whether, despite his declaration and the possibility of obtaining a written agreement from him, they will genuinely fulfill their commitments to support. This is the crux of the matter, as some may still consider giving Atiku another chance or opting for one of the candidates from the North, yet they are aware that such choices are unlikely to be successful, and they understand this very well. Consequently, they might still lean towards a candidate from the South, whether it be someone who offers promises like Peter Obi or a figure such as former President Jonathan, if permitted, knowing that he would be limited to a single term. These are the alternatives available to them, for when individuals find themselves with limited choices, any option may seem viable.
Obi’s assertion is politically motivated — Ibrahim Nakande
Ibrahim Nakande, a former Minister of Information and Communication, remarked, "When someone claims they will serve only one term, it is a political statement. Will the constituents from his region accept that? He enjoys support across the board, even in the North, as evidenced by the results of the last election. There is no doubt he will have backing; it hinges on his proposed policies and programs, and ultimately, it is for the broader Nigerian populace to determine. I believe he is mistaken in making such a claim."
Tinubu is optimally positioned to transfer power to a northerner post-2027 — Yakasai
Elder Statesman and former Presidential Liaison Officer during the Second Republic, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, asserted that President Bola Tinubu, who is currently in office, will have only four additional years following 2027 if he is re-elected for a second term. Yakasai elaborated that President Bola Tinubu is ideally situated to transfer power to a northerner should Nigerians elect such a candidate.
He stated, "It is widely recognized that the constitution limits the President to a maximum of two terms, each lasting four years. Therefore, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in the most favorable position to fulfill an agreement to hand over power four years after 2027, as the constitution mandates him to do so."
This proposition is fundamentally undemocratic — Alhaji Murtala Abubakar, President of the Arewa Defence League (ADL).
Alhaji Murtala Abubakar, the President of the Arewa Defence League (ADL), contended that the principle of zoning and rotational presidency was compromised when former President Goodluck Jonathan, a Southerner, ran for and won the presidency in 2011, despite the prevailing expectation that power should remain in the North to complete the "North-South rotation" following President Yar’Adua’s passing. Since that time, the political environment has transformed, with Nigerians now placing greater importance on competence, credibility, and capacity rather than regional entitlement. The notion that power must "rotate" artificially limits democratic choice and is no longer viable in a contemporary Nigeria. A genuine democracy flourishes when citizens are free to elect the most qualified candidate, irrespective of their ethnic or geographical background.
Enforcing an arbitrary one-term limit on a Southern president in 2027 undermines the people's will and implies that leadership should be dictated by regional negotiations rather than by performance and popular support.
If a Southern president excels in their role, why should they be compelled to step down after one term merely to adhere to an antiquated zoning arrangement? The North is home to millions of capable, educated, and politically savvy individuals who can compete for the presidency based on their ideas and leadership abilities—not through clandestine zoning agreements.
The Arewa Defence League advocates for a merit-based system where any candidate, whether Northern or Southern, can run and succeed based on their vision for Nigeria, rather than on artificial rotational pacts. When political positions are distributed based on regional factors instead of competence, it fosters mediocrity and undermines governance, similar to the current state of affairs in the country. Nigeria’s challenges necessitate the best leaders, not those chosen solely to meet a zoning criterion.
The call for a single-term Southern president in 2027 represents a divisive strategy that deepens regional mistrust instead of promoting national unity.
– The North will not be misled again— Alhaji Muhammad Danlami
Alhaji Muhammad Salihu Danlami, the Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly, expressed that the North would not be misled again by the arrangement proposed by Peter Obi.
"While not enshrined in the constitution, Nigerians adhere to a gentleman's agreement that power should alternate between the North and South. Following the passing of President Musa Yar’adua, the North sought to fulfill its 8-year term in accordance with this agreement, but we all know the outcome.
"In 2011, the North yielded to the influence of incumbency and permitted President Goodluck Jonathan, who had assured Nigerians of his intention to serve only one term, to be elected, only for him to pursue re-election in 2015. We must also remember that in 2023, after the North's 8 years in power, Atiku Abubakar aimed to keep power in the North, yet he faced significant opposition from within the North, which ultimately led to his defeat.
With this mutual understanding for the unity of our beloved Nigeria, the Southern presidency will persist until 2031, and the North will reject any presidential candidates attempting to promote the notion of a single term, as we have previously been deceived by this in 2011, resulting in great disappointment. The North will not endorse Peter Obi due to his approach to politics, which intertwines religion and ethnicity," he asserted.
– Time will reveal our true loyalties concerning 2027—Alhaji Jamilu Charanchi
In his comments, Alhaji Jamilu Charanchi from the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) stated that only time will disclose where the North's true loyalties lie in 2027.
He remarked, "One of the most paradoxical characteristics of desperate Nigerian politicians is their limitless capacity to promise the world merely to gain votes, yet once they take office, those promises dissipate into nothingness.
The political class in Nigeria has established a significant trust deficit throughout all segments of society.
Fulfilling campaign promises has become an exception rather than the norm. Anyone who continues to believe in such promises without critical examination is merely deceiving themselves. Regarding the year 2027, only time will disclose the true allegiance of the North; it will be actions, not mere words, that will determine that outcome," he concluded.
We cannot place our trust in such promises — Anthony Sani.
In his response, Anthony Sani, the former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), expressed that presidential candidates who commit to serving only one term give him the impression that they are excessively eager for power rather than for public service. The elder statesman remarked, "I have reiterated multiple times that while the North may present a united front on political matters that many northerners share, they seldom speak with a single voice on partisan issues.
This may clarify why Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Abubakar Atiku divided the votes in the North during the previous presidential elections. When candidates promise to serve only one term, it leads me to believe they are overly desperate for power rather than for the service of the populace.
Consequently, I cannot assert that the North will accept such a one-term offer from Peter Obi. Unless President Bola Tinubu performs exceptionally poorly in his first term, which seems unlikely, I anticipate that the North will favor President Bola Tinubu, who has only one term remaining if elected, over Peter Obi, who may change his mind, reminiscent of President Jonathan's decision to contest in 2015," he stated. – The North will not be persuaded by Obi’s assertion — Bitrus Kaze.
Bitrus Kaze, a former Member representing Jos East/Jos South in the National Assembly and a supporter of Obi in the 2023 election, remarked, "That’s a complex situation. Now that Tinubu is President and preparing for a second term.
It appears attractive, sensible, and mature; however, the northern region I am familiar with—the far north, excluding the Middle Belt and the minority tribes in the so-called north—may not be persuaded. The statement is soothing, yet considering the significant influence of the Nigerian Presidency, I remain uncertain whether the north will be convinced.
Perhaps the Middle Belt region and the areas where he previously garnered support may accept and respect his words, but the law does not prohibit a President from seeking a second term.
– Obi’s profile is gaining traction throughout Northern Nigeria —Tanko Yunusa
In the meantime, Alhaji Tanko Yunusa, the Global Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, expressed his belief that Peter Obi’s charitable actions, along with his recent commitment to serve only one term if elected President in 2027, have enhanced Obi’s reputation, particularly in the northern regions of the country.
Tanko stated, “Peter Obi’s proposal to serve a single four-year term will certainly alleviate concerns in certain circles regarding the implications of his electoral success for the gentleman's agreement of alternating political power between the North and South. There is no doubt that Obi’s proposal is being positively received in the north, where his actions and statements are restoring trust.
Recently, the Pantami Emirate in Gombe State honored him with a traditional title. The true political significance of this honor lies in the fact that a respected Northern emirate bestowed one of its highest accolades upon a politician from the South-East.
“Obi’s acceptance in the north, where I originate, is significantly better in 2025 compared to what we witnessed during the 2023 elections. This represents a genuine paradigm shift that is likely to enhance his electoral prospects in future elections. Regarding the single term proposal, Obi remarked that even four years is excessive for what he aims to accomplish. This illustrates his determination and readiness to transform Nigeria.
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