Renowned socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu, has disclosed that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has consistently maintained his commitment to serving only one term in office if elected president.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Yesufu quote-tweeted a message from Obi in which he again reaffirmed his intention to limit his presidency to a single term. She revealed that this has been his stance since his 2023 campaign, and that he frequently cited Nelson Mandela as a model for such a political path.
“I, Aisha Yesufu, can confirm that Mr Peter Gregory Obi has always said he would do just a term even before the 2023 election, I used to argue with him that one term is not enough and he can’t just refuse to contest again.” she wrote.
Yesufu said that during the 2022 campaign, she repeatedly pressed Obi on the issue, only for him to consistently respond that “if one was ready to really work, then a single term was more than enough.”
According to her, Obi’s position has caused some unease in the North, where political stakeholders are concerned that electing a southerner like Obi could effectively extend the South’s stay in power by four additional years.
“Many from the North had shown concern over support for Peter Obi possibly leading to an extra four years for the South,” she noted.
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Yesufu said she sought a recent reconfirmation of Obi’s stance earlier this year, before making any public remarks about his commitment, to ensure it remained unchanged.
“I told him that I was going to speak of his promise to do one term only publicly and I needed his confirmation… Mr Peter Obi once again gave me his word that he was going to do only one term.”
Obi, who served as Governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, emerged as a leading opposition figure in the 2023 presidential election, gaining widespread support among young Nigerians and reform-minded voters. While he ultimately lost the race, his influence within Nigerian politics continues to grow, sparking speculation about another run in 2027.
Whether or not Obi contests again, the reaffirmation of his single-term pledge adds a fresh layer to national debates about zoning, equity, and political succession in Nigeria.
