The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has revealed that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, signed a written agreement committing to serve only one four-year term if elected president in 2027.
Kwankwaso made the disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, saying the arrangement was designed to ensure that power returns to the North after a single term in line with the party’s power-sharing agreement.
The former Kano State governor said he has no reason to doubt Obi’s commitment to the deal, describing their relationship as one built on trust and mutual understanding.
“Oh yes, I personally believe him. Based on what I know about him, I don’t think he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,” Kwankwaso said.
He disclosed that the agreement was formally documented and signed by both leaders, in addition to a separate agreement involving the party.
“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” he said.
According to Kwankwaso, the agreement provides that Obi would serve a single four-year term before power rotates back to the North.
“The agreement is exactly that. For four years, we will work together as a group, a party, friends and brothers, so that after his term from 2027 to 2031, power returns to the North. That is the general agreement,” he said.
Kwankwaso explained that he accepted the vice-presidential position because both leaders agreed that the South should retain the presidency for one term before returning it to the North.
“Together, we felt that the presidency should remain in the South for four years and thereafter return to the North.
“We believe that should be the consensus across the country so that we can move forward together as one family, both North and South,” he added.
Asked whether he plans to contest the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso said the party’s immediate focus remains the 2027 election, although it has broader political plans for the future.
“We have a short-term plan that we are executing now, and we also have medium- and long-term plans for the country. That is what we are working on,” he said.
Obi had previously pledged to serve only one term if elected president, arguing that the move would promote political stability and strengthen national unity.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day longer than four years, even with a gun to my head,” Obi said in May.
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