Peter Obi Declares Readiness to Serve One Term, Hand Over to North in 2031 if Coalition Demands It

Peter Obi has reaffirmed his commitment to national unity and political integrity, declaring that he is open to serving a single term as president if such an agreement is reached within a coalition arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections. The former Labour Party presidential candidate made the statement during an X Space session on Sunday, June 30, 2025, tagged #PeterObiOnParallelFacts, which drew over 10,000 live listeners and sparked nearly 3,000 comments.

Obi, addressing a question from a user identified as Balactic, did not hesitate to outline his stand: “If the agreement is one term, I will leave on May 28, 2031 — not even May 29,” he said, stressing that his ambition is not rooted in a hunger for power but in a burning desire to fix Nigeria. He reiterated that political leadership must be anchored on character, competence, and respect for equity.

He went further to say that honouring coalition pacts, including the idea of power rotation, signals political maturity and a commitment to nation-building. “Zoning and coalition agreements are not weaknesses but demonstrations of responsibility,” Obi noted. His position echoes calls by various interest groups from the North for a post-Obi power shift in 2031 to maintain the balance of national representation.

Political watchers say Obi’s public stance on serving one term could reshape alliance talks ahead of the 2027 polls, especially among key southern and northern stakeholders aiming for a credible consensus candidate. It could also put pressure on other aspirants to publicly declare their willingness to compromise for unity.

Sources close to the ongoing opposition realignment efforts told journalists that talks have intensified around forming a mega coalition to unseat the ruling APC in 2027. With Obi now seen as open to a time-bound transitional leadership, his acceptability may grow across both divides of the political spectrum.

Obi’s humility and apparent lack of desperation have often been cited as key strengths by his supporters, many of whom view him as a rare figure in Nigeria’s political class. His public embrace of a one-term deal may solidify his image as a bridge-builder ready to place the national interest above personal ambition.

Whether other opposition leaders—especially those from the North—will rally behind this coalition framework remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Peter Obi just raised the stakes in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race.