Former presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2007, Prof. Pat Utomi has thrown his weight behind the statement credited to the former presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), in 2023, Peter Obi the he will serve only for a single term if elected in 2027.
The political economist in an interview with journalists over the weekend said that Obi has been an advocate of single term for political office holders and described Obi position as ‘Sensible mantra’
Utomi argued that Nigeria should adopt a one-term presidency to prevent leaders from wasting eight years in office.
Reaffirming his confidence that Obi will honour the single term being canvassed he said, “It shows how little attention people pay to details of matters.
“I was not surprised at all to hear Peter Obi say that, because for years before the last election, Obi’s mantra was that one of the first things he would do if elected in 2023 was to ensure a one-term rotational presidency.
“That was his mantra in 2002 and 2001. He talked about this. That if he was elected, he would move quickly to one five-year term rotating across geopolitical zones.
“So why would anybody now begin to say they doubt it? He said it long before this scenario of now came up. People are just mischief makers.”
Utomi reiterated that two presidential terms promote waste.
“By the way, I don’t know why this obsession with two terms. ICAN has a one-term system, it rotates, and everybody seems to be happy.
“Why is there this obsession with spending eight years doing nothing? Most of them do nothing — just destroy a country in eight years.
“I personally would actually vote for a mandatory one-term. It’s not my idea, it’s Peter’s idea, and I would support it. Not because it’s his idea, but because it makes sense given this obsession with two terms.
“Non-performing people waste the lives of others for eight years. I think after four or five years, you should move on and let new thinking try their bit.”
