Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has reignited political debate following a renewed vow to serve only one term if elected president in 2027 — a pledge that has been met with stiff resistance from the All Progressives Congress (APC), sceptics within his own party, and Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
Obi, a former Anambra governor, restated his commitment in a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, describing the promise as “sacrosanct.”
He drew inspiration from global statesmen like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, arguing that impactful leadership should not be measured by time in office but by purposeful service.
“History shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it,” Obi said.
“Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference.”
His remarks came in the wake of a scathing attack by Governor Soludo, who mocked the idea of a voluntary one-term presidency.
Speaking at a rally in Anambra South, the governor said: “Any politician who says that must be sent to a psychiatric home because the person must have some mental problem.”
Obi, in a subtle response, dismissed the attacks without naming Soludo, insisting that the scepticism was rooted in a culture of broken political promises.
“They are judging me by their own standards… But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth,” he asserted.
The statement has since divided the Labour Party. While the Abure-led faction dismissed the vow as a campaign gimmick, a caretaker faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman welcomed the move, describing Obi’s integrity as “tested and proven.”
Speaking with PLATFORM TIMES, spokesperson for the Usman faction, Mr. Ken Asogwa, defended Obi’s commitment.
“As governor of Anambra, he was impeached for being uncompromising in transparency and later reinstated by the courts. That’s not the record of a man who plays politics with his words,” Asogwa said.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiorah Ifoh, however, expressed caution, stating that Labour Party’s programmes transcend personal pledges.
“We are still focused on 2027. It’s too early to start talking about 2031,” he said.
Meanwhile, the APC has outrightly dismissed Obi’s promise. The party’s Director of Publicity, Mallam Bala Ibrahim, accused the LP candidate of desperation and playing to the gallery.
“He’s just looking for sympathy and relevance. No one can hold him to such a promise when the constitution allows a second term,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the APC remained focused on delivering democratic dividends and warned Nigerians not to be swayed by “antics.”
Obi, however, appeared unfazed by the backlash, doubling down on his promise to serve only four years while unveiling a broad agenda focused on security, education, accountability, and economic reform.
“Real leadership is not about clinging to power; it’s about setting a vision, implementing it, and stepping aside with honour,” he said.
‘
‘Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
Leave a comment