Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has doubled down on his commitment to serve only one term of four years if elected President, asserting that impactful leadership doesn’t require a lifetime in office.
His response comes amid indirect criticisms, including remarks from Anambra State Professor Governor Chukwuma Soludo and others who question the sincerity of such a pledge by any politicians.
During a rally in Anambra South supporting his second-term bid, Soludo dismissed one-term pledges as irrational and undemocratic. He stated that any politician promising to serve only one term likely needs psychiatric evaluation, questioning both the logic and precedent behind such a vow, since Nigeria’s constitution permits two terms.
But Peter Obi citing global figures like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela leaders who made profound impacts within short tenures Obi argued that it is not the length of time in office but the quality and accountability of leadership that defines statesmanship.
“I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct,” Obi declared.
Obi acknowledged the widespread mistrust Nigerians have toward politicians, noting that political promises are often viewed with skepticism. Referencing recent comments suggesting he should swear by a shrine or undergo psychiatric evaluation to prove his intent, he dismissed them as reflections of a broken political culture.
“They are judging me by their own standards, where political promises are made to be broken. But I am not cut from that cloth.”
Obi pointed to his record as Anambra State Governor, where he said he fulfilled his commitments to improve education, healthcare, infrastructure, and financial management without deviation.
“In my political life, my word is my bond,” he said. “I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word.”
He emphasized that four years is sufficient for any serious leader to make a meaningful difference, pledging to use that time to:
- Clean up Nigeria’s governance structure
- Tackle insecurity with transparency and efficiency
- Prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty reduction
- Empower small businesses
- Fight corruption with unwavering commitment
- Shift Nigeria from consumption to production through agriculture, technology, and manufacturing
“These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years.”
Obi concluded by reaffirming his mission to restore integrity to public leadership, insisting that trust can be rebuilt through consistent, principled governance.
