Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has maintained that he would only govern for one-term if elected as President in 2027.

It was recalls that Peter Obi had come under attack for vowing to govern for four years if he is backed by the opposition coalition to succeed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking on Saturday during a political rally held in Anambra South in support of his second-term ambition, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State slammed politicians promising to serve only one term in office.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said any politician pledging to serve only one term in office needs to undergo a psychiatric test.

The governor questioned the logic behind such a promise, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution allows elected public officials to serve two terms, not just one.

“How can anybody with a functioning brain say that? Do you think you’re speaking to fools?

“You come to people and say you will do only one term, any politician who says that must be sent to a psychiatric home because the person must have some mental problem,” Soludo said.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Peter Obi insisted that he will serve only one term of four years if elected President, stressing that his vow is sacrosanct.

According to the former Labour party presidential candidate, the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities.

His statement read: “One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership. Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations. In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as President of South Africa, despite immense public pressure to stay longer. His decision was a deliberate act of leadership, a statement that power must serve the people, not the self. Indeed, 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.

“It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct.

“I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities. Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word. But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words – whose integrity is built on verifiable precedent.

“Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term. One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed. Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation.

“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.

“In my political life, my word is my bond. When I entered politics in Anambra State, I made clear and measurable promises to the people: to improve education and healthcare, to open up rural areas through road construction, and to manage public funds with prudence. I fulfilled each of those promises without deviation. I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word.

“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.

“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 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.

“We must rebuild trust in our country. I have dedicated my public life to demonstrating that leadership with integrity is not a myth. I have done it before, and I do not intend to betray that trust under any circumstances.

“Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference. In that time, I intend not merely to make an impression, but to 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.

“Above all, I will dedicate myself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, where agriculture, technology, and manufacturing replace rent-seeking and waste as our national anchors.

“These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years.”

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Concerned over an alleged threat issued by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, against Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, the Igbo community in Edo and Delta States has begun mobilising support for Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.

In a statement released yesterday, the Coordinator-General of the “Igbo Unity Forum,” Chief Ekene Okpara, said the group’s decision was triggered by the current state of the economy and the governor’s alleged remarks following Obi’s recent visit to Benin City.

Okpara expressed disappointment over the worsening economic situation under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, saying Nigerians “are facing the most difficult times in recent history.”

He disclosed that the forum has launched a campaign to deliver at least five million votes for Obi, regardless of the political party he chooses to run under in 2027.

“We will not forget the governor’s alleged statement insisting that Obi must inform him before visiting Edo State. That statement alone has strengthened our resolve to mobilise across the country and the diaspora,” he said.

Describing Governor Okpebholo as a “meddlesome busybody,” Okpara urged him to focus on governance rather than engaging in actions that could damage his reputation.

The forum also appealed to residents of Edo and Delta States to join forces to ensure Obi’s success in the next general elections, while calling on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the failing economy and the deplorable state of infrastructure across Nigeria.

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A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prof. Jerry Gana has said that Peter Obi may be good, but that the PDP has somebody better.

He, however, maintained that the former Governor of Anambra State would win the northern state, should he return to the main opposition party.

It was reports that Gana has in recent weeks continued his call for Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, to come back to the PDP.

He believes that the former Governor has a better chance of challenging the incumbent government as the flagbearer of the PDP.

Speaking on Arise News, Gana expressed the confidence that Obi would defeat any contender in Nigeria’s northern states if he contested on the PDP platform.

Obi said he was still a member of the Labour Party and had vowed to remain in the party for the meantime while working with the African Democratic Congress, ADC-led coalition.

He left the PDP in May 2022 to pursue his bid under the LP.

“The PDP is on the ground. I’m a researcher, and I research opinions. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate because our people are very fair-minded and just.

“We are reaching out to Peter Obi. Because I’m leading a search team and there are many brilliant people. Peter may be good, but we have somebody better. So, we are searching.

“We made a mistake in 2023. If I were Atiku, I would say, ‘Peter, it is now your turn; I would give you a vice-president,’ but he didn’t,” he said.

Adding his voice to the discussion on Thursday, a former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Jacob Mark said the former Anambra governor was free to return to the party if he so wished.

He insisted that the PDP was the best bet for Obi to win the 2027 presidential election.

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