LABOUR Party 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, a commitment he says is rooted in integrity, accountability, and his personal leadership philosophy.
Obi’s renewed position comes amid public skepticism and pointed criticisms, including one from the current Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who recently dismissed such vows as unrealistic and even described them as requiring “psychiatric evaluation.”
Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Obi addressed the controversy head-on. “In my political life, my word is my bond,” he 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 made the initial declaration in June during a widely attended X Space conversation tagged #PeterObiOnParallelFacts, where he responded to questions from thousands of Nigerians in a live digital town hall setting.
The idea of a one-term presidency, while not unconstitutional, is rare in Nigeria’s political terrain and has sparked mixed reactions, ranging from praise for his selflessness to doubts over whether the promise is simply a populist ploy.
But the former Anambra governor is doubling down.
“Leadership is not about how long you stay in office,” he wrote. “It is about how effectively you serve. Even a single term, when used wisely, can leave a lasting legacy.
“In fact, history shows us that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more detached and corrupt they become.”
To support his point, Obi referenced Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, leaders who served either one term or part of a term but are remembered globally for their impact.
In what appeared to be a direct response to Governor Soludo, Obi noted that some recent comments, though not mentioning him by name, were clearly aimed at discrediting his one-term promise.
“Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term,” Obi wrote. “One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed.
“Another said anyone promising to serve just one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation.”
Obi didn’t hold back in his reply: “They are judging me by their own standards, where political promises are made to be broken. But Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation.”
He added, “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’s response underlines what he sees as a fundamental flaw in Nigerian political culture: the obsession with holding onto power rather than using time in office effectively.
“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,” he said.
His firm stance adds a new layer to Nigeria’s ongoing conversation about political integrity, leadership ethics, and the need for a generational shift.
Supporters have lauded him as a rare breed in Nigerian politics, while critics remain unconvinced, arguing that in a country where pledges are often broken, voters should trust actions, not words.
Still, Obi insists: “My word is my bond.”