Kwankwaso Confirms Obi Signed One-Term Presidency Agreement Ahead of 2027 Election

By Nafiu Muhammad Lema

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has confirmed that the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, signed a written agreement committing to serve only one four-year term if elected president in 2027.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Monday, Kwankwaso said the agreement forms part of the NDC’s power-sharing arrangement, which provides that the presidency will return to the North after Obi’s single tenure from 2027 to 2031.

Kwankwaso expressed confidence that Obi would honour the agreement, describing their relationship as one built on mutual trust.

“Oh yes, I personally believe him. I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, that he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,” he said.

He also disclosed that the understanding was formally documented through separate agreements signed by both the party and the two candidates.

“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” Kwankwaso stated.

Explaining the arrangement, the former Kano State governor said both leaders agreed that the South should retain the presidency for one term before power rotates back to the North.

“The agreement is that for four years, we will work together as a group, party, friends and brothers so that after his term of four years (2027–2031), it comes back to the North. That is the general agreement,” he said.

Kwankwaso noted that the power-sharing formula was designed to promote national unity and ensure fairness between the country’s regions.

“Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North. We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so that we can move together as a family, both North and South,” he added.

When asked whether he intends to contest the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso said the party’s immediate priority is securing victory in the 2027 general election while also keeping its long-term plans in focus.

“We have a short-term plan which we are executing now and, of course, we also have our medium and long-term plans for the country, and that is what we are working on now,” he said.

Peter Obi had earlier announced in May that he would voluntarily serve only one term if elected, arguing that the decision would strengthen political stability and national cohesion.

The NDC has continued to present the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a consensus partnership aimed at fostering regional balance and national unity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.