A former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mallam Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, has revealed that the northern region of Nigeria has begun to accept Labour Party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and has come to terms with his single-term proposal if elected into office.
Speaking in a recent interview, the ex-IPAC boss emphasized that contrary to widely held assumptions, Obi’s popularity and ideas are gaining significant ground in the North, especially among the youth and political stakeholders seeking genuine change.
“The North is more politically aware than people give it credit for. Many people are beginning to understand that Peter Obi’s proposal to run for only one term is strategic and selfless,” Bashir said. “It’s not about ethnicity or religion anymore, it’s about leadership, vision, and integrity.”
Peter Obi, during his 2023 presidential campaign and post-election statements, hinted that if given the opportunity, he would serve a single term to set Nigeria on the right path and ensure a transition of power based on competence, not power rotation. This idea had initially raised concerns in some quarters, but according to Bashir, it is now being seen as a noble commitment.
The former IPAC chair stressed that Obi's message of transparency, fiscal responsibility, and inclusive governance resonates with many in the North who are disillusioned by years of unfulfilled promises and insecurity.
He added that Peter Obi’s visits to various Northern states and his engagement with clerics, traditional rulers, students, and community leaders have helped dismantle long-standing biases. “He came with respect and sincerity, and the people saw that,” Bashir noted.
Political observers believe this growing acceptance could reshape future political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Bashir also pointed out that many northern leaders are quietly aligning with Obi’s ideology, even if they’re not yet publicly vocal due to political calculations.
He concluded by saying that the idea of a single term is not a weakness but a potential strength. “If anything, it holds Peter Obi more accountable and gives Nigerians a clear four-year window to judge performance without the distractions of re-election ambitions.”
With conversations like this emerging, it remains to be seen how the political landscape will evolve in the coming months, but one thing is clear, the North is paying close attention to Peter Obi.
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