Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has pledged to serve only one four-year term if elected president in 2027, aligning with a similar commitment by Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Peter Obi.
Makinde made the pledge on Saturday at an APM town hall meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, where he promised an inclusive government focused on tackling insecurity, poverty and electricity shortages.
“Our government will not last beyond four years. And it will be an all-inclusive government,” he said.
The Oyo State governor said his proposed administration would be a transitional government of national unity, promising to listen to Nigerians, respect their rights and pursue practical solutions to the country’s challenges.
“We will be sincere in finding solutions to the challenges that we are faced with. We will not play politics. We will not undermine your rights. We will ensure that we tell you the exact truth,” Makinde said.
His pledge comes amid renewed debate over presidential power rotation between northern and southern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 election.
Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, has repeatedly promised to serve a single four-year term if elected, arguing that leadership should prioritise national stability and respect the unwritten power-sharing arrangement between the two regions.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability,” Obi said in an interview scheduled to air on News Central TV.
“I would not stay a day longer than four years, even with a gun to my head.”
The former Anambra State governor has argued that a southern president elected in 2027 should leave office in 2031 to allow the North another turn, in line with the principle of power rotation.
Makinde also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of failing to fulfil key campaign promises, particularly on electricity.
He said Tinubu had challenged Nigerians not to re-elect him if he failed to resolve the country’s electricity problems within four years.
“The current administration came in and told us that it had the magic wand to solve the challenges confronting us,” Makinde said, adding that Nigerians should judge the government by its performance.
He urged voters to use the 2027 election to demand a change in leadership, describing the contest as an opportunity to end what he called the “politics of lies and deceit”.
Makinde said his proposed government would pursue a national reset agenda and provide honest answers to the country’s economic and security challenges.
