THE Presidential standard bearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, says his decision to commit to a single term of four years in office if he wins the 2027 presidential election is to ensure that people trust public officers.

Obi, who rendered the clarification while appearing on Channels Television’s evening programme, Sunday Politics, yesterday, maintain that he will not try by any means to extend his tenure by as much as one day.

Dismissing the claims by a former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, that he would split Nigeria if elected President, the NDC presidential runner said that all what Sheriff stated were opposite of what he is currently doing and have done in the past.

He challenged the former Borno State governor to march his record of intervention in many parts of the country, pointing out that even when some citizens lost their lives in Borno State due to massive flooding, he visited to condole with the governor and the Shehu of Borno.

“I traveled to Borno State to console with the victims including a visit to the governor, the traditional ruler and the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps. I helped affected citizens to rebuild their communities.

“I have been intervening in many northern states, constructing boreholes, supporting Nursing Schools and Almajirai schools, particularly in Bauchi, Kaduna, Gombe and Sokoto States.

“There is no other politician in Nigeria that have traveled to various parts of the country by road. I want Nigeria to work, that is why I am sharing the experience of the people. I will unite and stabilize the country for the growth that Nigeria needs,” he stated.

The NDC presidential candidate informed Senator Sheriff and his likes that they should not be trapped in the problems of yesterday, even as he called for politics of issues that focus on pulling Nigerians out of poverty and removing out of school children from the streets rather than sentiments of religion and region.

He declared: “I will not divide Nigeria. I will show love and ensure that things are done properly. Nobody can drive the change that the North needs more than me. I have shown that through my interventions and meetings with troubled communities.

“As governor of Anambra State, I sponsored Muslims to the pilgrimage. There are a lot of things are doing presently in my individual capacity. All through my eight years as governor my ADCs (Aides De Camp) were all northerners unlike Sheriff and others.”

Expressing optimism that he would win the 2027 presidential poll, Mr Peter Obi said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have always prided himself as a democrat, the forthcoming election is ample opportunity for him to demonstrate that by guaranteeing a free and fair poll.

He regretted that President Tinubu had outsourced his government to those who were not elected, stressing that a leader should be speaking to the people to explain his policies and giving real hope.