Nasir El-Rufai Argues Four Years is Insufficient for a President to Deliver Promises

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has weighed in on the ongoing debate about the ideal presidential tenure, criticizing the one-term pledges made by presidential hopefuls like Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi. In a recent television interview, El-Rufai stated that such promises are not only unrealistic but also disingenuous, arguing from his own experience that four years is not enough time to make a lasting impact.

“Now, on the question of people coming out and saying, I will do one term, I don’t think anyone believes that,” El-Rufai said. “I don’t think it is right. You should not constitutionally give up what is yours. And frankly, 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.”

The former governor’s remarks are a direct response to a political conversation that has gained traction ahead of the 2027 general elections. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party in 2023, has been a vocal advocate for a single five-year term, arguing that it would force a leader to focus on governance without the distraction of a re-election campaign. Similarly, Rotimi Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation who is now part of a new opposition coalition, has also indicated a willingness to serve only one term for the sake of power rotation and national stability.

However, El-Rufai’s critique is that while the sentiment may sound noble, the reality of governance requires more time. He pointed out that many projects and reforms take more than four years to conceive, plan, and implement. He further added that politicians who make such pledges often change their minds once they assume office.

The statement by El-Rufai comes at a pivotal moment, as he is now a prominent figure in a newly formed opposition coalition. By challenging the one-term pledges of his potential coalition partners, El-Rufai is not only expressing his personal conviction but also shaping the narrative for the political debates to come. His comments add a new dimension to the discussion, moving it from a simple pledge to a more fundamental conversation about the practicality and effectiveness of a single presidential term.