Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, says he remains firm on his promise to serve just one term if elected president in 2027.
Obi restated his position in a post on his official X handle on Sunday, emphasizing that leadership should be measured by impact, not tenure.
“One of the greatest American presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures,” he wrote. “John F. Kennedy did not complete a full term, but his ideals still inspire.”
He also referenced Nelson Mandela, who led South Africa for a single term despite public calls for him to continue.
“Mandela’s choice was a deliberate act of leadership—a reminder that power must serve the people, not the self,” Obi said. “History shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it.”
Obi declared his commitment once more: “It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct.”
He admitted that skepticism is widespread among Nigerians, given the history of unfulfilled political promises.
“I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities,” he said. “Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word.”
Obi was reacting to remarks from critics who doubted his sincerity. One person reportedly said even a shrine oath wouldn’t convince them, while another suggested he needed psychiatric evaluation for making such a pledge.
“I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards—where political promises are made to be broken,” Obi said. “But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation.”
He pointed to his tenure as governor of Anambra State, where he claimed to have fulfilled promises on education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“I fulfilled each of those promises without deviation. I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word,” he said.
On the legality of a single term, Obi said the Nigerian Constitution provides a four-year renewable term, and choosing not to seek a second should not be seen as madness.
“If making such a promise qualifies me for psychiatric evaluation, then we may as well question the mental fitness of those who framed our constitution,” he said.
“I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office. In fact, I believe that service should be impactful, not eternal.”
He stressed the need to rebuild public trust in leadership, adding, “Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference.”
Meanwhile, while Obi cited Lincoln and Kennedy as examples of short-term but impactful leadership, both men were assassinated during their presidencies.
Lincoln was killed just over a month into his second term, while Kennedy did not complete his first term before being assassinated.
