The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has again vowed to keep his promise of spending just one term in office if elected president.
Obi’s reiteration of his commitment to keep his promise of spending one term in office followed the recent remark of Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra at a political event where he said that anyone who promised to spend one term in office should be hospitalised for psychiatric evaluation.
Reacting to Soludo’s comment, Obi said his promise of “One-Term, Four-Year Vow Is Sacrosanct”, noting that he does not belong to the circle of politicians who renege on their campaign promises.
He said he was not cut from the same cloth as Soludo and other politicians who have not only voiced their reservations and doubts about his ability to keep his promises but also cast aspersions on his person.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards – where political promises are made to be broken. 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,” Obi said
He cited former United States president Abraham Lincoln and former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela as examples of leaders who only led their country for one term but made a lasting, profound positive impact and shaped the future of their country.
According to him, “history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it. Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service – however brief – that defines true statesmanship”
He stated that four years is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference.
He stated that he would, in 48 months, “deliver on concrete promises to: sanitise our governance system; tackle insecurity through effective and accountable use of national resources; prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation; catalyse small businesses as engines of growth; and combat corruption with unflinching resolve.”
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