Some prominent Igbo leaders have thrown their weight behind Peter Obi’s pledge to serve only one term if elected President in 2027, describing the promise as a decision made in the interest of national unity and constitutional power rotation.
The endorsement comes amid growing debate over Obi’s agreement to spend just four years in office if he wins the presidential election on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, former Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Vice President, Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene, said Obi did not need to seek the approval of Igbo leaders before making the commitment because he is running to become Nigeria’s president, not an ethnic candidate.
“Peter Obi is not an Igbo candidate. He is contesting to be President of Nigeria as a Nigerian. So he doesn’t need to consult Igbo leaders before making any decision on how he will serve Nigeria,” Okeke-Ogene said.
Former media adviser to ex-Ohanaeze President-General, Chief Emeka Attamah, also backed Obi’s decision, saying the former Anambra governor must have consulted those genuinely committed to his presidential ambition.
“He certainly must have consulted Igbo leaders genuinely committed to his presidential ambition. He couldn’t have consulted those vehemently opposed to it for selfish reasons,” Attamah stated.
According to him, Obi’s promise aligns with the long-standing aspiration of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s president and could help strengthen national unity.
Okeke-Ogene also argued that effective leadership is determined by competence rather than the number of years spent in office.
“Any president who has the capacity to fix Nigeria does not necessarily need to serve two tenures to make an impact,” he said.
He added that Obi’s one-term pledge reflects his respect for the zoning arrangement between the North and the South.
However, Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Chukwu Ezechi, clarified that the organisation has not officially endorsed or rejected Obi’s position.
According to him, the decision is a personal and political one that rests with Obi and his party.
“The decision of Mr Peter Obi that he will serve one term if elected president is entirely his exclusive right, and his political party. Ohanaeze is not a political party,” Ezechi said.
Meanwhile, reactions from other Igbo stakeholders remain divided.
While some political leaders believe four years would be enough for Obi to lay a solid foundation for national development, others argued that the South-East should not limit itself to a single term without broader consultations.
Despite the differing opinions, supporters insist Obi’s commitment could improve his chances of building wider national support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
