By Emamuzo Iboma
The 2023 Labour Party presidential hopeful and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his pledge to serve a single four-year term if elected Nigeria’s president in 2027, calling the vow “sacrosanct.”
Obi made the declaration via his verified ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, emphasizing that effective leadership does not require an extended tenure.
“I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct,” he tweeted.
Drawing parallels with revered global leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, Obi highlighted their purposeful leadership within limited timeframes.
“Nelson Mandela, widely admired as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as South Africa’s President, despite immense public pressure to stay longer. His decision was a deliberate act of leadership—a statement that power must serve the people, not personal interests,” Obi explained.
Acknowledging the prevalent public skepticism towards political promises in Nigeria, Obi stated, “Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word… but I am not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation.”
Responding to recent criticisms of his one-term pledge—including remarks that such promises are unrealistic or insincere—Obi dismissed them as “misinformed.”
“Someone said that even if I swore on a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed. Another suggested that anyone promising only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation. If making such a promise qualifies me for psychiatric assessment, then we should question the mental fitness of those who drafted our Constitution,” he retorted.
Insisting that “if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office,” Obi outlined key priorities for his proposed administration: governance reform, national security, education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, support for small businesses, and the fight against corruption.
“Forty-eight months is enough for any focused and prepared leader to make a meaningful difference. I am committed to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one—where agriculture, technology, and manufacturing replace rent-seeking and waste,” he vowed.
Confident that his goals are realistic, Obi added, “These are not utopian dreams; they are actionable, achievable objectives within four years.”
