The Arewa Consultative Forum, AFC, has rejected in strong terms the one-term promise by the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi.
The Forum was also said to have given a poor performance verdict on the President Bola Tinubu-led government after three years in office.
ACF, a socio-cultural and quasi-political association promoting the political interest of Northern Nigeria, said Obi’s promises are unconstitutional and do not only undermine the nation’s democracy.
The position of the ACF adds to the increasing debate on the pledge of the NDC presidential candidate and what it means for regional power dynamics ahead of the next general elections.
Obi was reported to have vowed to serve only one term of four years if elected in 2027, saying four years is enough for a sincere leader to change the country for the better.
In an interview on national TV, the ex-governor of Anambra state insisted that he would serve only a single term in office and handover to the North, “even with a gun to my head.”
But in an exclusive interview with Sunday, ACF National Secretary, Tukur Baba said such pledges were very unnecessary.
“Such a promise is totally unnecessary, even as a campaign material, it is still very unnecessary,” he said.
“First, such a power shift is not a constitutional provision. It is a decision for the political parties. Another top presidential candidate said that and that is incorrect.
Secondly, it is very undemocratic, we cannot be practicing democracy and we are putting all kinds of road blocks. That is not a democracy.
“Thirdly, when you are rotating power from one geo-political zone to another, tomorrow it may become a religious affair, they will come out and say it is time for so so religion.
“We have at least four hundred ethnic groups in this country and three major religions. The more we hold on to the shift in power, the more we embrace the divisions amongst us.
“Why will Peter Obi promise this? If he becomes the president of Nigeria and does very well in his first tenure, then will it be fair for Nigerians, North or South, men or women to say Obi will not go again because he made promises even though he is good?
“By him saying one term means he’s not going to try his hardest. He is not doing justice to the voters. All we need in this country is just good governance
We want accountability, fair representation and good welfare of the people. Welfare is security, school, health and anti-corruption campaigns.
“If Peter Obi gets into power and after two years we start to see results, it will be unfair for him to say he only wants four years.
“Imagine if in two years Obi can bring down banditry, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country, and then he said he wants to leave after four years, that would be unfair to those who elected him.
“I will tell Peter Obi, if I sit down with him, you promised one term and go and give power to another region, that is being irresponsible.
“We may not go far as a country until we abolish tribalism and region-based politics. “We are marching backwards in reverse order”.
ACF has no specific presidential candidate
However, the ACF spokesperson clarified that the socio-cultural organization does not have a preferred policy candidate, adding that its duty is to analyze and allow the electorates to decide.
“There is no tradition of coming out to support or oppose any candidate or political parties in the country openly,” he said.
“More so our job is to analyze and at the end of the day, allow the electorates to decide. Unlike other organizations in the country, we have over 300 tribes in the North and we cannot afford to say that the North has one preferred candidate or party.
“But the North has only one interest and the interest is different from the interest of any other citizens of the country and that is good governance, security and good economy”.
Shambolic Tinubu’s government
The ACF also lambasted the President Bola Tinubu led administration describing it as shambolic.
Tukur Baba, who said the President Tinubu has not done well in the area of security also lambasted the APC-led government over the ravaging economic hardship.
He said the “widespread” activities of bandits and terrorists in the country have “continued to spread”.
“If President Tinubu is doing well, the impact would have been felt but the issue has continued to expand until the Americans came recently,” he added.
Bello Tunji is still bragging on social media in the North East. Tinubu reshuffled security architecture no results.
“Did he ever order any of the security chiefs ‘bring me the head of so so bandit or terrorist dead or alive?
“Tinubu disconnected Aso Villa from the national grid but you and I are paying for power we did not see.
Prices of things are going up yet we have taxes all over. They keep on bragging about low taxes for lower income earners but even the razor blade you buy, there is VAT in it.
“The so-called Lagos-Calabar highway, we don’t know what is happening there, how much of the so-called Lagos-Sokoto road has been done? Where’s the progress?” Those who asked for democracy, Tinubu and his group are the ones sabotaging the principles of democracy today.
“The middle class is dead. I am very disappointed with President Tinubu. This regime has borrowed more than all the previous governments combined and you and I are going to pay for it.
“So generally I will say the performance has been shambolic.
“Has their policies effected citizens oh yes but negatively”.
