The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, are currently locked in a war of words over the issue of a single-term presidency.
The New Daily Prime reported that Obi, who served as governor of Anambra State, confirmed in June that he would contest the 2027 presidential election, pledging to serve only one four-year term if elected.
Although the vow initially sparked criticism, the matter did not gain much traction until Soludo reacted sharply.
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Speaking on Saturday at a political rally in Anambra South to drum up support for his second-term bid, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) described any politician pledging a single term as needing “psychiatric evaluation.”
He questioned the rationale behind such a commitment, arguing that the Nigerian Constitution permits elected officials to serve two terms, not just one.
However, in response, Obi took to his X (formerly Twitter) page on Sunday, reaffirming his commitment to a single-term presidency.
He insisted that his promise was non-negotiable, stressing that the decay in Nigerian society had rendered public trust one of the rarest and most cynically viewed values.
He argued that years of broken promises had left Nigerians disillusioned, unable to take politicians at their word.
Nonetheless, the 64-year-old maintained that a few public figures still exist whose actions align with their promises and whose integrity is backed by verifiable records.
Taking a subtle swipe at Soludo, Obi said: “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 a 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.
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“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.”
Commitment
Furthermore, Obi reaffirmed his pledge to serve only a single four-year term, describing it as a solemn commitment grounded in his belief that effective and transparent leadership does not require a lifetime in office.
“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”, he said.
He emphasised that politicians must work to rebuild public trust in the country.
Obi stated that he had devoted his public life to proving that leadership grounded in integrity is not a myth.
He added that having led with such principles in the past, he had no intention of betraying 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.”
He recalled that Abraham Lincoln, widely regarded as the greatest American president, served only a single term in office, yet his legacy endures as a benchmark of principled leadership.
He also cited another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, who did not complete a full term, but whose vision and ideals continue to inspire generations.
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“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.”
