The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has once again reaffirmed his pledge to serve only a single four-year term if elected President of Nigeria.
Obi originally made the commitment during a widely followed X Space session in June, titled #PeterObiOnParallelFacts, which attracted thousands of live listeners. While the promise has generated mixed reactions, with some questioning its sincerity, Obi remains resolute.
In a post on his verified X handle on Sunday, the former Anambra State governor declared, “In my political life, my word is my bond… My vow to serve only one term of four years is a solemn commitment, rooted in my conviction that purposeful, transparent leadership does not require an eternity.”
He argued that effective leadership is defined not by the length of time in office but by the quality of service delivered. Obi also warned that prolonged tenure in office has often led to corruption in African leadership.
To reinforce his stance, he cited historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela—leaders remembered for their impact, not their time in power.
His position comes amid criticism from Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who recently questioned the logic behind one-term pledges, suggesting such declarations “need psychiatric examination.”