By Praise Chinecherem
Former Anambra state Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his longstanding pledge to serve only one term of four years if elected President of Nigeria.
Obi in a statement on Sunday described the vow as “sacrosanct,” reiterating his commitment to purposeful leadership over prolonged rule.
Referencing global figures such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, Obi emphasised that great leadership is not measured by the number of years in office, but by the quality and impact of service.
“Mandela served one term and walked away. That was leadership. Power must serve the people, not the self,” he added.
Obi acknowledged the widespread scepticism among Nigerians towards political promises, noting that public trust has eroded over decades of unfulfilled pledges.
“I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities,” he said.
Addressing recent jibes aimed at his vow, Obi quipped, ,”One critic suggested that even a shrine-bound oath would not earn him public belief.
“Another implied that anyone insisting on a single term should undergo psychiatric evaluation.”
Obi dismissed both remarks, stating that such cynicism reflects a political culture where broken promises are the norm.
“They judge me by their own standards, but Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth.”
He defended his political record in Anambra State, where he said he fulfilled campaign promises on education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, and financial prudence.
“I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word,” he remarked.
Reiterating his stance, Obi declared, “I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office.”
According to him, “Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference.”
Obi outlined his priority areas as president to include rebuilding trust in public institutions, tackling insecurity through the efficient deployment of national resources, revamping the education and healthcare sectors, catalysing small businesses to drive economic productivity, and combating corruption with unwavering resolve.
“My goal is to transform Nigeria from “a consuming nation into a productive one,” anchored on agriculture, technology, and manufacturing.
“Service should be impactful, not eternal. The challenges facing Nigeria demand urgency, not tenure elongation,” he added.
