Obi, in a statement on Sunday, insisted the one-term promise remains “sacrosanct,” arguing that transformational leadership should not be measured by the number of years in office. Drawing on the legacies of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, he said purposeful service could be impactful even in a short time.
“Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference,” Obi said. “Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service—however brief—that defines true statesmanship.”
However, his commitment has been met with scepticism and outright disdain from political opponents. Governor Soludo, speaking during a rally in Anambra South, called the promise delusional.
“Any politician who says that must be sent to a psychiatric home because the person must have some mental problem,” Soludo said, questioning the rationale behind rejecting a constitutionally guaranteed two-term tenure.
The APC also dismissed Obi’s vow as disingenuous. The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, accused the former Anambra governor of playing to the gallery.
“Obi is not sincere. This is nothing but a tactic to deceive the electorate or pressure his party to hand him the ticket. He is desperate for power,” Ibrahim said.
Reactions within the Labour Party itself have been mixed. The Julius Abure-led faction described the vow as political theatre, while a rival caretaker leadership loyal to Senator Nenadi Usman hailed Obi’s statement as a bold and principled stand.
Ken Asogwa, spokesperson for the Usman faction, said, “Mr Peter Obi’s one-term promise is anchored in character and track record. If this administration took just two years to plunge Nigeria into economic distress, then four years is more than enough to begin national recovery.”
Citing Obi’s tenure as Anambra governor, Asogwa said Obi had proven his integrity, especially when he was impeached for resisting pressure to compromise transparency and later reinstated by the courts—a landmark moment in Nigeria’s political history.
Meanwhile, the official Labour Party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, adopted a neutral stance, noting that the party has a unified policy platform regardless of its candidate.
“I think it’s too early to talk about 2031 when we are still sorting out 2027,” Ifoh said. “We wish Obi well in his ambition. If he believes a one-term presidency is the right thing, we respect that.”
Obi, undeterred by the criticisms, insisted his vow was not a political gimmick but a sincere commitment rooted in principle. “They are judging me by their own standards, where political promises are made to be broken,” he said. “But Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth.”
He concluded by outlining his agenda focused on economic reform, education, security, and governance overhaul. “These are not utopian dreams,” he said. “They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years.”
