Paul Ikonne, an All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant for Abia South, has argued that Peter Obi’s suggestion of serving a single four-year presidential term would disadvantage the South-East region.
He made the comments on Thursday during a media interaction in Abuja.
Ikonne, a former executive secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), recently launched a political movement called “Asiwaju Tsunami 2027” in Abia State to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He stated that when the South-East eventually produces a president, the region should also be allowed to enjoy a full eight-year tenure like other geopolitical zones in the country.
Reacting to Obi’s proposal, Ikonne questioned the fairness of limiting a presidency to four years, insisting it would reduce the region’s political opportunity if adopted.
He argued that Nigerians from the South-East would not support such an arrangement, adding that future leaders from the region deserve the same tenure length enjoyed by others.
The APC chieftain further described Tinubu’s expected 2027 re-election campaign as a widespread political movement, claiming it would gain strong national backing.
He also said several political leaders in the South-East, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, are supporting Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
According to him, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has set up mobilisation structures aimed at rallying support for the president across markets and communities with significant Igbo populations.
Ikonne insisted that the South-East should not be swayed by what he described as short-term political promises, arguing that four years would not be enough for any meaningful presidency.
He further claimed that Peter Obi’s political influence had declined compared to the 2023 elections, adding that the Labour Party is no longer strongly positioned in Abia State.
