I will serve one term of 4 years if elected President, Obi reiterates
The Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 Nigerian presidential election, Peter Obi, has restated his willingness to serve for a single term of four years if elected President, noting that impact, not time spent in office, is what determines effective leadership.
Speaking via his X handle (formerly Twitter), Obi asserted that global personalities like Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, and John F. Kennedy are remembered for their principled leadership and enduring legacies despite their brief tenures.
“One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership. Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations.
“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.”
Obi noted that longevity in office was not a mark of success. According to the former LP presidential candidate, only a purposeful and accountable service, however brief, defines true statesmanship.
“It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct,” Obi pledged, stating that his decision was born out of conviction, with his service records in Anambra State acting as a testament of his trustworthiness to keep promises.
He noted that while societal decay has made trust a scarce commodity, as many Nigerians no longer take politicians at their word, there are however a few persons whose actions match their words and their integrity built on verifiable precedent.
Obi said that some critics have questioned the sincerity of his promise because they judged him by their own standards of breaking political promises, a stock from which he was not made.
“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,” he added.
He further pledged commitment to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, with emphasis on agriculture, technology and manufacturing.
