"One-Term Promise Is Desperation — Northerners Won’t Back Igbo Presidency," Reuben Abati Sparks Debate

Renowned media personality and former presidential spokesperson Reuben Abati has stirred nationwide reactions with his latest political analysis on Arise TV, declaring that the idea of a one-term presidency proposed by Labour Party’s Peter Obi is both unrealistic and politically desperate.

“Any politician promising just one term is showing signs of desperation,” Abati stated.
He criticized the theatrics of some politicians, including "serving food, carrying plates, and doing 'boy boy'", calling them ineffective political gimmicks.

Abati took it a step further, addressing the deep-rooted ethno-political divide in Nigeria, especially in relation to power rotation.

“The North will not buy into this idea of a one-term presidency. The civil war in this country has not ended in the minds of many. I don’t believe Northerners who are already aggrieved with a Yoruba President will now embrace an Igbo President.”

His comments have sparked intense debate online, with many questioning whether Nigeria is truly ready for inclusive national unity or still struggling with unresolved historical tensions.

#ReubenAbati #PeterObi #IgboPresidency #2027Elections #OneTermDebate #NigerianPolitics

2027: North will prefer Jonathan to obi- PDP chieftain.

Speaking on Daily Politics, a programme on Trust TV, on Saturday, Sani argued that Jonathan’s candidacy would better serve the North’s interests because his constitutional term limit guarantees he can only serve one term.

Sani, who served as media aide to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, said supporting Jonathan would complete the South’s eight-year tenure and pave the way for the North to return to power in 2031.

He said, “I will prefer that President Jonathan takes the ticket, not because I do not like Obi, but because that will ensure that the South will have completed their four years.

“By law, Jonathan cannot exceed one term. So, if he returns, it will be for a single four-year term, unlike Obi, whose promise of one term is not legally binding.”

According to Sani, the North would be more confident in Jonathan’s legal limit than in Obi’s verbal pledge to serve only one term.

He said, “Between somebody making a promise and somebody who is compelled by law that he must leave, which one will you take?

“Jonathan has to go after four years. This one [Obi] is making a promise. A promise can be kept and may not be kept either way.”

He further stated, that while Obi’s integrity is not in doubt, political realities demand certainty.

Sani said, “On this one [Jonathan], you are sure that it must be kept. So for the North, I think Goodluck Jonathan is the best choice.”

Sani’s comments come amid speculation that the PDP is seeking to bring Obi, who left the party ahead of the 2023 elections, back into its fold for a possible joint ticket.

But the former presidential aide warned that if the North agrees to support another Southern candidate in 2027, it must be under the understanding that such a tenure ends in 2031, aligning with the power rotation narrative.

“It’s about equity and fairness. Buhari, a northerner, did eight years. The South should complete their eight, and then the North takes over again. That’s the basis of stability,” Sani said.

Peter Obi, who placed third in the 2023 presidential election, has not hidden his intention to re-contest in 2027. He has promised to serve only one term if elected.

Reports of land allocation to Wike’s children ‘sponsored bl+ckmail’ — Lere Olayinka.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports claiming the Minister allocated 2,082 hectares of land in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts to his children.

He described the allegations as “sponsored bl+ckmail” that has failed to gain traction. The reports, which surfaced on June 26, alleged that Wike gifted large parcels of land to his son. But Olayinka, in a statement on Tuesday, insisted the claims were based on misrepresented documents.

He clarified that the referenced land was actually in Bwari Area Council and allocated to JOAQ Farms—an entity with no ties to the Minister’s family. “There’s not even that much land available in Maitama and Asokoro combined. The propaganda is built on lies and misuse of official documents,” he stated.

He also addressed a second claim linking another company, Jordan Farms, to Wike’s son. Olayinka affirmed that the company is independent and unrelated to the Minister’s children.

“It’s the right of the Minister’s children, friends, or associates to own land anywhere in the country, as long as it’s legally acquired. But so far, no land has been allocated to any of Wike’s children,” he said.

He criticized efforts to link names like Jordan Farms or Jordan Foods to the Minister’s family, calling it absurd. “Is every business with ‘Jordan’ in its name now owned by Wike’s son?” he asked.

On allegations involving documents bearing a security aide’s name, Olayinka questioned the logic: “If I help a friend collect documents, does that make me the owner?”

He attributed the accusations to political opponents unsettled by Wike’s stance on power rotation. “Let that fellow from Adamawa who keeps att+cking the Minister try harder,” he said. “This smear campaign failed before it even started.”