August 04, (THEWILL) — The presidency, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, have differed on the practicality of the latter’s vow to govern for one term of four years in office if elected president in 2027.
For Obi and Soludo, the disagreement reflects a return to pre-election politicking, with the governor hitting out at politicians promising to serve only one term in office and Obi insisting that his commitment to a pledge to do only one term of four years in office, if elected president, is “not just a campaign promise but a principle of governance.”
The presidency joined the fray late Sunday evening when presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga questioned Obi’s moral high ground to make such a vow that precedence does not support.
THEWILL recalls that prior to the 2023 general poll, Governor Soludo had issued a scathing statement attacking Obi and predicting his loss in the presidential election.
Soludo had declared that Obi could not win the election, adding that the LP standard bearer was only playing a game.
In an article titled, ‘History beckons and I will not be silent (Part 1)’, published in November 2022, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said, “Let’s be clear: Peter Obi knows that he can’t and won’t win. He knows the game he is playing and we know, too. He knows that we know. The game he is playing is the main reason he didn’t return to the All Progressives Grand Alliance. The brutal truth (and some will say, God forbid) is that there are two persons/parties seriously contesting for president. The rest is exciting drama!
Describing Obi’s “investments” as governor of Anambra as “worth next to nothing” and naming the Obidient Movement as a “cyber bulling mob,” Soludo had predicted: “There is no credible pathway for him near the first two positions and if care is not taken, he won’t even get near the third position.”
Surprisingly, Obi’s performance in the poll had shattered bookmakers’ predictions. As a candidate with no structure supported by serving governors, elected lawmakers and moneybags, he scored votes that put him in the spotlight as a politician of reckoning. President Bola Tinubu won the election with 8.79 million votes, followed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who scored 6.98 million votes, Peter Obi of the LP got 6.1 million votes and Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, who got 1,496,687 votes.
Comparatively, Obi led the pack in the South with 4,020, 687 votes, followed by Tinubu with 3,026,969 votes, Abubakar with 1,751,047 votes and Kwankwaso with 42, 038 votes.
With this electrifying performance, Obi’s political stature increased. As a current leader in the African Democratic Congress, ADC, formed by coalition politicians seeking to win the presidency in 2027, Obi made a pledge to do one single term of four- years if given the presidential ticket of the party.
Governor Soludo, who is campaigning for re-election in the upcoming November 8 governorship election in the state reignited the duo’s politicking in a statement on Saturday, August 2, 2025 during electioneering in Anambra South. Obi reacted on his X platform on Sunday, August 3.
The ex-Governor of the CBN stated that it was flawed reasoning for any politician to make such a promise when the country’s Constitution provides for elected officials to serve two-terms.
“How can anybody with a functioning brain say that? Do you think you’re speaking to fools? You come to people and say you will do only one term, any politician who says that must be sent to a psychiatric home because the person must have some mental problem,” Soludo said.
In his reaction on Sunday, Obi declared, “My One-Term, Four-Year Vow Is Sacrosanct.”
He buttressed his vow with reference to leaders of countries across the world who performed excellently while serving only one term of four years in office such that they continue to inspire generations and have become global leadership icons. People like past Presidents of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, as well as President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
Obi, who admitted there was growing public distrust in political promises, stated that his personal and political history set him apart from others.
He said he was fully aware that the decay in the country has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities as many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians for their word.
“But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words – whose integrity is built on verifiable precedent.”
Taking an indirect swipe at Soludo, Obi said “I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards – where political promises are made to be broken. 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.”
Referencing Soludo’s demand for psychiatric treatment for one-term-in office bidders Obi said, “My vow to serve only one term of four years is a solemn commitment, rooted in my conviction that purposeful, transparent leadership does not require an eternity. 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,” he said.
He further added that his tenure as governor of Anambra State as evidence of consistent, measurable service.
“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.”
“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.”
For Onanuga, Obi lacks the moral high ground to make such a vow and compare himself to Mandela, Lincoln and Kennedy.
“You’re neither a Mandela nor a Lincoln or a Kennedy. You sound as if you have never held an elected office before. You sought re-election as Anambra Governor in 2010, and narrowly won courtesy of a divided opposition. Why didn’t you walk away after only one term in office?, Onanuga queried.
According to Onanuga, there is nothing to show that Anambra State was transformed under Obi’s tenure as governor.
“If you couldn’t transform a small Anambra after 8 years, is there a guarantee that you’ll do anything significant under 4 years as President of a complex and complicated Nigeria?”
“You talk about trust, but how do you expect people to trust someone who can’t keep a simple promise not to leave a political party?”
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
