Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation, says he is ready to serve only one term as president in 2027 if he secures the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Amaechi stated this on Thursday during an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme aired on Channels Television.

The former Rivers governor explained that he would be willing to leave office after four years to preserve rotation and political stability.

“For now, the way Nigeria is, you must keep to that unwritten agreement that says south eight years, north eight years,” he said.

He added, “I led a fight against the PDP government because there was an agreement that the government at that time would spend four years, but after four years, the government reneged, and I said, ‘no, that will be unfair.’

“That will lead to instability at its peak, as the north will react. So, the best thing to do is to support a northern candidate to continue the balance of power.

“Just like I will be telling the northerners that, no, the south should be allowed to complete their tenure — if the south isn’t allowed to complete their tenure, then I have made a mistake in supporting….”

When asked whether he would serve only one term if offered the ADC ticket, he responded, “Of course.”

He also said, “If not for the coalition agreement, the answer to whether I’ll run (as president) would have been an outright yes.

“But what did we agree? Everyone should keep aside their ambition. Let’s first get the platform. Let’s build it before talking about the presidency.”

Amaechi had contested the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, finishing second behind President Bola Tinubu, who emerged as the party’s candidate.

On Sunday, Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, said he was willing to serve just one term if elected president in 2027.

Obi also restated his commitment to the zoning principle, which rotates the presidency between the north and the south.

On Wednesday, members of the coalition announced the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political platform for the 2027 general election.

Amaechi also attended the unveiling of the ADC coalition in Abuja.

‘TINUBU’S ADMINISTRATION WORSE THAN BUHARI’

Amaechi said that although former President Muhammadu Buhari did not accomplish everything he promised, his administration performed better than the Tinubu-led government in all aspects.

“Buhari will tell you he didn’t achieve everything, but his government was better than this one by all standards,” he said.

“Security under Buhari was a priority. Transportation saw progress. INEC had more independence.”

He claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is now compromised, alleging that government officials are influencing its decisions, including blocking the registration of opposition parties.

“Today, they can’t even register a party because government officials are telling INEC not to,” Amaechi said.

“So how is INEC an umpire when it takes instructions from the government?”

Amaechi recalled how he resisted an attempt by then-President Goodluck Jonathan to impose a chairman on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), describing it as an infringement on the governors’ independence.

“When I heard the president wanted to appoint a chairman for the Governors’ Forum, I almost collapsed,” he said.

“We demanded an election, and I won — 19 votes to Jang’s 16. Back then, governors had a voice. Now? They don’t.”

He also mentioned that Buhari was cautious about borrowing and blocked loan requests that were not tied to critical infrastructure.

“Buhari once rejected a minister’s loan proposal at FEC and insisted only key ministries like transport should access credit,” Amaechi said.