PDP chieftain says complex national challenges can’t be solved in four years, cites Jonathan’s tenure as proof

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, has strongly criticised the growing narrative among some 2027 presidential hopefuls that Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges can be resolved within a single four-year term.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Thursday, Showunmi described such claims as misleading and dishonest, insisting that anyone making those promises is either “a liar or a fraud.”

His remarks come amid increasing political rhetoric as the 2027 general elections draw closer, with some aspirants positioning themselves as capable of delivering sweeping reforms within one term.

Showunmi, however, argued that the country’s problems are far too complex to be solved within such a short timeframe, warning Nigerians against buying into what he described as oversimplified campaign promises.

“Anyone who says one term is enough to fix the challenges bedevilling this nation is either deceiving the people or doesn’t understand the enormity of the task,” he said.

He further criticised politicians who make bold claims without presenting clear strategies, noting that they often downplay the difficulty of governance while failing to explain how they intend to achieve their goals.

“They make it sound easy, but they never tell you how they plan to do it,” he added.

To drive home his point, Showunmi referenced former President Goodluck Jonathan’s time in office, arguing that even with the advantage of completing a predecessor’s tenure and serving a full term, the expectations and political pressures remained intense.

According to him, Jonathan’s experience demonstrates how difficult it is to deliver lasting change within limited time, especially in a country as complex as Nigeria.

“The closest example we had was Goodluck Jonathan, who completed Yar’Adua’s tenure and then served his own term from 2011 to 2015. Even at that, it wasn’t easy to secure continuity,” Showunmi noted.

He added that the political battles surrounding Jonathan’s attempt to consolidate power for a second term contributed significantly to internal party crises that the PDP is still grappling with today.

Showunmi concluded that fixing Nigeria requires long-term planning, continuity, and realistic expectations—not catchy promises built around a single-term agenda.