- Obi said politicians doubting his vow judge him by standards where political promises are frequently broken and abandoned.
- The former governor insisted his political life has always been guided by promises fulfilled without deviation or excuses.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his commitment to serve only one term of four years if elected.
Obi made the remarks in a post on his X page on Sunday, stressing that the vow is unbreakable and rooted in purposeful leadership.
He said leadership should be measured by impact and service, not by how long a person remains in office.
Obi cited former United States Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, saying their brief tenures continue to inspire generations worldwide.
He also referred to former South African President, Nelson Mandela, who chose to serve only one term despite overwhelming public pressure to remain in office.
Obi said Mandela’s decision was a deliberate example of leadership that places public service above personal ambition.
He warned that history has shown how many African leaders get corrupted the longer they stay in power.
According to him, longevity in office does not equate to successful leadership, but purposeful and accountable service, no matter how short.
Obi reiterated that his vow to serve only four years, if elected, remains sacrosanct and is not up for negotiation.
He said, “I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct.”
The former Anambra State governor acknowledged the level of distrust Nigerians have towards politicians, attributing it to years of broken promises.
Obi noted that trust has become one of the scarcest values in the nation, but maintained that integrity is still achievable in public service.
“Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word,” Obi said.
“But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words.”
He disclosed that two recent comments indirectly challenged his one-term pledge.
“One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed,” Obi stated.
“Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation.”
Obi said those doubting his commitment are judging him by their own standards, where political promises are easily broken.
“But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth,” he added.
He said his track record in Anambra is a testament to his integrity, as he fulfilled his promises on education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, and prudent fund management.
“I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word,” he said.
Obi maintained that his vow to serve only one term is a solemn commitment, founded on the belief that transparent leadership doesn’t require an eternal stay in office.
He said, “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, which clearly stipulates a four-year renewable tenure.”
Obi stated unequivocally that if elected, he would not spend an extra day beyond four years in office.
“In fact, I believe that service should be impactful, not eternal,” he said.
He stressed the need to rebuild public trust in governance, saying his entire public career has been devoted to showing that integrity in leadership is achievable.
“I have done it before, and I do not intend to betray that trust under any circumstances,” Obi said.
Obi asserted that forty-eight months is sufficient for any focused leader to deliver meaningful change.
He outlined his agenda, which includes sanitising the governance system and addressing insecurity through effective and accountable deployment of national resources.
Obi also pledged to prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, while catalysing small businesses as drivers of economic growth.
He vowed to combat corruption with unwavering resolve and foster a productive economy based on agriculture, technology, and manufacturing.
“Above all, I will dedicate myself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one,” Obi stated.
He insisted that his goals are practical and achievable within four years, not utopian fantasies.
“These are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years,” Obi said.
Discussion about this post