Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has cautioned Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that political realities in Nigeria make it difficult for presidents to fulfil a one-term pledge.
Obi has repeatedly stated his willingness to serve only one term if elected in 2027. However, speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, Sule advised Obi and other aspirants not to underestimate the complexities of governance.
“Peter Obi might say he wants to do one term, but it is not up to him,” Sule said. “Once he assumes office, powerful interests will pressure him, saying, ‘It’s our turn; you cannot do that to us,’ ‘we cannot allow you to do that,’ and ‘we will take you to court if you do that.’”
The governor noted that while a president may plan to serve only a limited term, the demands of the office and political pressures often make it impossible to achieve even a fraction of Nigeria’s needed reforms within four years.
Assessing the current administration, Sule commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic and security efforts. He credited the government with raising Nigeria’s foreign reserves to about $40 billion and increasing oil production from roughly 1.1 million to 1.8 million barrels per day.
“This is a government that is indeed going in the right direction. The government is doing everything possible to bring back the future of this government,” he said.
“This government has worked very hard to improve our foreign reserve, which is somewhere around 40 billion USD today. The government has worked very hard to improve oil production from roughly 1.1 to about 1.8 million barrels per day. Yes, we are still having problems with insecurity. There are more resources available for both states and the federal government to fight insecurity.
“There are still challenges. I was there when Mr President himself said there are challenges, so I want the governors and local government chairmen, based on the improved revenues you’re getting, to touch the lives of people who are actually going through challenges.
“If the president doesn’t believe there are challenges, he wouldn’t say that.”
