Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai has criticised pledges by Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi — both members of the African Democratic Congress coalition — to serve only one term if elected president in 2027.

Speaking on Channels TV on Sunday night, Mr El-Rufai said the two former governors were fully aware of the time required to achieve meaningful change in government, adding that Nigerians do not trust such promises.

“On the question of people coming out and saying, ‘I will do one term’, I don’t think anyone believes them. I don’t think it is right. You should not give out what is constitutionally yours,” Mr El-Rufai said.

“As someone who has been governor for eight years, and Amaechi and Peter Obi have both been governors, they know the time it takes to make meaningful change in government; four years is not enough. So, I want to appeal to everyone to stop making this commitment of ‘I will do four years’, because nobody believes you.”

In August, Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, reaffirmed his vow to serve only one term of four years if elected president in 2027. He described the promise as “sacrosanct”, stressing his preference for purposeful leadership over prolonged rule.

Referencing global figures such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, Mr Obi argued that great leadership is defined by impact, not longevity.

“Mandela served one term and walked away. That was leadership,” Mr Obi said.

Similarly, ex-governor of Rivers, Mr Amaechi, declared in July that he was willing to serve just one term if he emerged victorious in 2027 under the ADC platform.

The ADC coalition represents a new political alignment of opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Messrs Obi, Amaechi, and El-Rufai, as well as other stakeholders, rallying on the ADC platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections.