Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he will serve only one term as President if he clinches the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amaechi made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s political program, Politics Today, on Thursday, where he emphasized his commitment to Nigeria’s informal power rotation agreement between the North and South.
“Of course. For now, the way Nigeria is, you must keep to that unwritten agreement that says North eight years and South eight years,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi, a prominent political figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) before his recent association with the ADC, argued that respecting regional power rotation is essential for national unity and stability.
“I led the fight against the PDP government. Why? Because there was an agreement that the government at the time would serve four years.
And after four years, that government reneged. And I said no, that would be unfair.”
He recalled opposing the PDP-led administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 over what he viewed as a breach of zoning principles.
“That will be instability at its peak because the North will react. So the best thing to do is to support the Northern candidate to continue the balance of power,” he explained.
“This time around, the South must be allowed to complete their tenure.”
Amaechi’s comments align with the growing debate over power rotation in 2027, with several southern leaders insisting that the presidency must remain in the South, following President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing administration.
Although Nigeria’s constitution does not mandate regional zoning of the presidency, party traditions and informal arrangements have historically guided the sharing of power between the North and South.
Amaechi’s public commitment to a single term is likely aimed at appealing to stakeholders and regions seeking equity and predictability in Nigeria’s political structure.