By Ayomide Otitoju
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has reiterated his vow to serve only one term if elected President, insisting the pledge is rooted in a commitment to purposeful and accountable leadership.
Posting on his X handle on Sunday, the former Anambra State governor described the four-year promise as “a solemn commitment,” adding that effective governance does not require a prolonged tenure.
“In my political life, my word is my bond,” Obi wrote. “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.”
Obi argued that many long-serving African leaders tend to become corrupt, citing historical examples of impactful leaders like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, who left lasting legacies despite serving brief terms.
His statement comes amid public debate sparked by comments from Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who mocked one-term pledges, saying such declarations warrant “psychiatric evaluation.”
In response, Obi dismissed the skepticism, suggesting critics are projecting their own distrust onto him.
“They are judging me by their own standards—where political promises are made to be broken,” 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.”
He added, “I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office. Service should be impactful, not eternal.”
