By Opeyemi Adelakun
Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has revealed that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, signed a written agreement committing the former Anambra State governor to serve only one four-year term if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso said the agreement, which was also endorsed by the party, provides that the presidency will return to the North after the completion of Obi’s first term.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the former governor dismissed suggestions that the arrangement was merely a verbal understanding, stressing that both leaders deliberately documented the agreement.
According to him, he has absolute confidence that Obi will keep his promise if elected.
“I personally believe him and I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen, even though we have accepted to put it on paper,” Kwankwaso said.
He disclosed that two separate agreements were signed to reinforce the arrangement.
“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” he stated.
Explaining the essence of the pact, Kwankwaso said the agreement was reached to ensure a smooth power rotation between the South and the North.
He said the understanding was that Obi would lead the country from 2027 to 2031 before supporting the return of the presidency to the North.
According to him, the decision reflected the collective position of the party’s leadership and was intended to strengthen national cohesion.
Kwankwaso also explained that his acceptance of the vice-presidential nomination was based on the conviction that the South should complete another four-year tenure before power rotates.
“Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North. We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so we can move together as one family,” he said.
Responding to questions about his own presidential ambition, Kwankwaso said the party remained focused on winning the 2027 election, while also considering its medium- and long-term political objectives.
He noted that discussions about 2031 would naturally come after the immediate political goals had been achieved.
Obi has consistently maintained that he would serve only one term if elected president, arguing that four years would be sufficient to implement his proposed reforms and stabilise the country.
However, the pledge has continued to generate debate, with critics questioning whether such a commitment would be honoured if he secures victory at the polls.
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