Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reiterated his promise to serve only one term if elected president, insisting that no circumstance would make him remain in office beyond four years.
Obi made the remark in an interview on News Central TV.
According to him, Nigeria needs stability and leadership focused on wealth creation rather than prolonged political control.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day longer than four years, even if a gun was placed to my head,” he said.
During the interview with broadcaster Kayode Akintemi, Obi also accused the ruling party of compromising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while faulting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over insecurity, borrowing and food policies.
The former Anambra governor claimed the country had become poorer and more insecure within the last two years.
“It’s only in two years that someone has borrowed more than previous administrations combined. It’s also within two years that Nigeria became the hungriest country in the world,” Obi stated.
He further criticised the Federal Government’s response to insecurity, saying the president should personally engage with troubled areas across the country.
“A president cannot remain in Abuja while hundreds are being killed in places like Jos, Niger and Benue,” he added.
Obi also faulted the government’s food importation policy, arguing that it had weakened local farmers instead of supporting agricultural production during periods of crisis.
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Presidency Dismisses Obi’s Promise
Reacting to Obi’s comments, the Presidency dismissed the former presidential candidate’s promise to serve only one term.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi’s political history showed he could not be trusted to keep such a pledge.
“If you believe Peter Obi’s promise to serve only one term as president, you’ll believe anything,” Onanuga said in a statement posted on X.
He accused Obi of repeatedly abandoning political platforms despite previous declarations of loyalty.
According to him, Obi once pledged never to leave the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), but later defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before moving across other political platforms.
“By his own actions, Peter Obi has shown that his word cannot be trusted. His promises are as fleeting as his political allegiances,” Onanuga stated.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.