Former State Governor of Light of the Nation (Anambra) and Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has restated his commitment to serve only a single four-year term if elected Nigeria’s president, describing the vow as “sacrosanct.”
Referencing global and African icons, Obi pointed to former American presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, as well as South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, as examples of impactful leadership not defined by lengthy tenure in office.
“Abraham Lincoln served only four years, yet his legacy endures. John F. Kennedy didn’t complete a full term, yet his ideals still inspire. Nelson Mandela chose to serve just one term, despite immense pressure to remain. His decision was a statement that power must serve the people, not the self,” Obi stated.
He warned that a prolonged stay in power often leads to moral decay. “Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service—however brief—that defines true statesmanship,” he said.
Obi acknowledged public skepticism, noting that trust in politicians has eroded due to repeated betrayals by those in power. “I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities,” he said.
He responded to recent remarks questioning the sincerity of his pledge, including one person who claimed that even swearing by a shrine would not make him believable, and another who suggested a psychiatric evaluation for any candidate vowing to serve a single term.
“I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their 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,” he said.
Highlighting his record, Obi stated, “In my political life, my word is my bond. When I entered politics in Anambra State, I made clear and measurable promises… I fulfilled each of those promises without deviation.”
He said the one-term vow is rooted in his belief that leadership is about impact, not tenure. “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 said.
“I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office. I believe that service should be impactful, not eternal,” Obi affirmed.
He outlined key goals for his proposed four-year term:
Restoring order to governance
Combating insecurity through accountable resource deployment
Prioritising education, healthcare, and poverty reduction
Empowering small businesses as growth drivers
Fighting corruption without compromise
Above all, he said his mission is to shift Nigeria from consumption to production. “Agriculture, technology, and manufacturing must take the place of rent-seeking and waste,” he stated.
“These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years,” Obi added.
He closed with a message of hope: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
