Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has restated his firm belief in Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangement between the North and the South, vowing to serve only one term if elected president in 2027.
Amaechi made this known during an appearance on Politics Today, a political programme aired on Channels Television on Thursday.
Responding to questions about his political future and the emerging opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Amaechi reaffirmed his position on equitable leadership, insisting that national unity must be preserved through adherence to rotational presidency. When asked directly whether he would commit to a single four-year term if presented as the ADC’s presidential candidate in the upcoming general elections, he replied, “Of course. I told you. You know that I speak my mind.”
Amaechi, known for his outspokenness and role in major political realignments in recent Nigerian history, explained that his position was informed by principle and the overarching interest of national stability. “If I won’t do more than four years, I would say that. If I were to do more than four years, I would say I would do more than four,” he added, stressing his transparency on matters of leadership.
The former minister pointed to Nigeria’s current political structure, which operates under a widely respected but unwritten agreement to rotate the presidency between the North and South. That understanding was last observed in 2023 when President Bola Tinubu from the South-West succeeded former President Muhammadu Buhari of the North-West, who had completed his constitutionally allowed two terms.
As Nigeria edges toward the 2027 elections, discussions surrounding zoning and regional representation have resurfaced prominently. Although the newly formed political coalition, which includes major players from across party lines, has yet to declare its zoning formula, Amaechi appeared confident that the South should naturally be given the opportunity to complete an eight-year presidential cycle.
“For now, the way Nigeria is, you must keep to that agreement—unwritten agreement—that says South eight years, North eight years,” he emphasized, reiterating his long-standing support for power balancing.
Amaechi also recounted his pivotal role in the 2015 political upheaval that saw the end of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) 16-year reign. “I led the fight against the PDP government. Why? Because there was an agreement that the government at that time would spend four years. But after four years, the government reneged on it, and I said no, that would be unfair,” he recalled. “That will be instability at its peak because the North will react.”
Highlighting his unwavering support for fairness regardless of the political climate, Amaechi maintained that he would also challenge any breach of the rotation agreement if the South is shortchanged. “Just like I will be among those saying to the North that the South must be allowed to complete its tenure. If the South is not allowed to complete its tenure, then I have made a mistake in supporting it,” he warned.
Amaechi’s declaration places him firmly in the camp of leaders pushing for a reset in Nigeria’s democratic values, particularly at a time when disillusionment with elite-driven politics is driving calls for new leadership models. His stance also signals readiness to stake his ambition on the altar of unity and regional equity, aligning with the broader goals of the opposition coalition.
While the ADC and its coalition partners have yet to formally unveil a flagbearer for 2027, Amaechi’s clear stance on zoning and term limits is expected to influence internal deliberations and could position him as a consensus candidate, especially among voters who value transparency and stability.
What you should know
Rotimi Amaechi has pledged to serve only one term if elected president in 2027, insisting that the South must complete its eight-year term in line with Nigeria’s informal power-sharing agreement.
Speaking on Channels TV, he emphasized that any deviation from this balance would destabilize the country and that he remains committed to fairness and national unity over personal ambition.
