According to a report by Leadership News published on Saturday, August 1, 2026, some prominent Igbo leaders have thrown their weight behind Mr. Peter Obi’s commitment to serve only one four-year term if he is elected Nigeria’s president in the 2027 general election.
They described the promise as one that reflects the national interest rather than regional considerations.
The support was expressed by two former leaders of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
They are Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene, the immediate past National Vice President of the organisation, and Chief Emeka Attamah, who served as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the immediate past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo.
Their endorsement comes amid ongoing public discussions surrounding Obi’s declaration that he would serve only one term if he wins the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Reacting to questions about whether Obi consulted Igbo leaders before making the one-term pledge, the Ohanaeze chieftains maintained that such consultation was unnecessary because he is seeking the presidency as a Nigerian, not as a representative of the Igbo ethnic group.
Okeke-Ogene said, “His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, is not an Igbo candidate. He is contesting to be President of Nigeria as a Nigerian. So, he doesn’t need to consult Igbo leaders before making any decision on how he will serve Nigeria.”
He explained that Obi’s presidential ambition is aimed at serving the entire country, making it unnecessary for him to seek the approval of Igbo leaders before deciding how he intends to govern if elected.
Speaking further, Chief Emeka Attamah said he believes Obi must have consulted Igbo leaders who genuinely support his presidential ambition.
According to him, it would not be reasonable to expect Obi to consult individuals who have consistently opposed his aspiration because of personal interests.
Attamah stated that Obi’s ambition is consistent with the long-standing desire of the Igbo people to produce Nigeria’s president.
He noted that, beyond ending the prolonged absence of an Igbo president, Obi’s performance during a single four-year tenure could demonstrate to Nigerians the leadership qualities that have been overlooked due to the exclusion of the South-East from the nation’s highest political office.
He argued that a successful administration under Obi would convince many Nigerians that the country has missed valuable opportunities by not allowing an Igbo candidate to occupy the presidency.
According to him, such an achievement could strengthen national confidence in inclusive leadership.
On the issue of whether one term is enough to deliver meaningful results, Okeke-Ogene insisted that competence and leadership ability are more important than the number of years spent in office.
He stressed that a capable leader can introduce significant reforms within a single tenure if there is commitment and determination.
He referred to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, recalling that the respected statesman once declared that he needed only 24 hours as Nigeria’s president to begin transforming the country.
He said Obi’s request for four years should therefore not be considered unrealistic, adding that the former Anambra State governor is not the first politician to express confidence in achieving meaningful change within a limited period.
Okeke-Ogene also linked Obi’s one-term promise to the country’s zoning arrangement. He explained that the decision reflects Obi’s commitment to respecting the principle of rotating the presidency between the North and the South.
According to him, the pledge demonstrates Obi’s respect for constitutional order, political understanding, and national unity while pursuing his vision for Nigeria……See More
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