No President Can Turn Nigeria Around in One Term, Simon Oshi Says, Urges Support for Tinubu

Enugu politician argues that Nigeria’s challenges require more than four years to address, says President Bola Tinubu deserves another term to continue his development agenda.

Enugu State politician and philanthropist, Simon Oshi, has argued that no presidential candidate in the 2027 general election can transform Nigeria within a single four-year tenure, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Oshi, who spoke with journalists, said Nigeria’s challenges were deeply rooted and required sustained efforts beyond one presidential term to address.

He consequently urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that continuity would give the administration more time to implement its development agenda.

According to him, Obi had significant political opportunities in the 2019 and 2023 elections but faces a different political landscape ahead of the 2027 contest.

Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, has secured the presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election.

Other major contenders include Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Oshi maintained that he did not believe Obi could win the 2027 presidential election, adding that the former Anambra State governor’s promise to serve only one term if elected was not a realistic timeframe for achieving national transformation.

“You can’t change Nigeria for good in four years; it is not possible, even in eight years, except you are a magician,” he said.

He identified competing political interests among senators, governors and political parties as some of the challenges that could limit the speed of reforms under any administration.

The former Special Adviser and Commissioner also argued that a Nigerian president could not unilaterally alter the Constitution to suit his administration, stressing that national institutions and existing legal frameworks would continue to influence governance.

On the recent Federal High Court judgment concerning Atiku’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate and the party’s leadership structure, Oshi argued that the ruling should not be regarded as the final determination of the matter because it could be challenged through the appellate process.

The ADC and Atiku have indicated their intention to challenge the November 5 judgment, with the party subsequently filing an appeal and seeking a stay of execution.

The legal dispute has therefore added another dimension to the political developments ahead of the 2027 general election.

Oshi, however, reiterated his position that Nigerians should give Tinubu another four years, arguing that continuity was necessary to pursue the country’s long-term development objectives.