Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has criticized the one-term presidency promise made by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing it as both unrealistic and unconvincing.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, El-Rufai cautioned political leaders against making such commitments, insisting that four years is insufficient to implement meaningful reforms in Nigeria.
El-Rufai, now a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), referenced the previous tenures of both Obi and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to support his argument. According to him, their experience in public office should inform them of the complexities of governance and the time required to achieve substantial progress.
“On the issue of people declaring they’ll only serve one term, I don’t think anyone takes that seriously, and frankly, I don’t think it’s the right approach,” El-Rufai stated. “No one should willingly forfeit what the constitution allows. Having governed for eight years myself, I can say that four years is simply not enough to make a significant impact.”
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He added that while such pledges may be intended to gain public trust, they lack credibility in the eyes of most Nigerians. “I urge everyone to stop making these four-year promises. It’s not believable,” he concluded.
El-Rufai’s remarks come as political discourse intensifies ahead of future elections, with candidates seeking to differentiate themselves through reform-oriented agendas and personal commitments. However, El-Rufai’s comments highlight the challenges of balancing political rhetoric with the realities of governance.
