Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, has suggested that Peter Obi may be unable to serve only one-term when he becomes president because of pressure of office.
Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has repeatedly said he is willing to be a one-term president if elected in 2027.
But speaking on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, on Friday, Sule said Obi and other aspirants are underestimating the complexities of governance in Nigeria.
He said while a president may intend to serve only one time in office, the complexities of the polical spectrum and challenges facing the country may make it impossible to solve all the challenges in four years.
“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.’”
Speaking on the performance of the current administration, Sule praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to stabilise the economy and improve security.
He highlighted the government’s success in boosting Nigeria’s foreign reserves to about $40 billion and increasing oil production from roughly 1.1 million to 1.8 million barrels per day.
He said Tinubu acknowledged ongoing security challenges in the north and has urged state governors and local government chairmen to use improved revenues to address the hardships faced by Nigerians.
“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,” Sule 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.”
