Peter Obi: I’ll serve only a term if elected president — like Lincoln, JFK did in America

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, says he remains committed to his vow to serve only one term if elected president.

He spoke on Sunday via his official X page.

Obi said history has shown that purposeful leadership is not defined by how long one stays in power but by the impact made in a short time.

“One of the greatest American presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures. John F. Kennedy did not complete a full term, but his ideals still inspire,” he said.

“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. Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it.”

Obi said if elected president in 2027, he will not spend a day beyond four years in office.

“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,” he said.

“I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities. Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word. ”

The former governor was reacting to comments doubting the sincerity of his one-term promise.

He explained that he understood the scepticism and promised to keep to his promise.

“Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term. One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed. Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation,” he 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.”

Obi explained that while he was governor of Anambra state, he made specific promises, like improving education, healthcare, etc, and he kept those promises.

“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,” 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.”

‘THE CONSTITUTION SETS ONLY A FOUR-YEAR RENEWABLE TERM’

Obi argued that the Nigerian constitution sets a four-year renewable term, and that choosing not to renew it should not be treated as madness.

“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.

“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.

“We must rebuild trust in our country. I have dedicated my public life to demonstrating that leadership with integrity is not a myth. I have done it before, and I do not intend to betray that trust under any circumstances.

He added that forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference.

TWO OF THE PRESIDENTS OBI CITED AS EXAMPLES DIED WHILE IN OFFICE

While making his case, Obi cited Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy as examples of American presidents who served short terms but left lasting legacies.

Checks by TheCable showed that both leaders were assassinated while in office.

Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865, during his second term, while Kennedy was killed on November 22, 1963, before completing his first term.

Lincoln was inaugurated for a second term on March 4, 1865, and was assassinated forty days after he was sworn into office.

Kennedy, who was two years and ten months in office, was anticipated to seek re-election but was yet to officially declare his intention to run for a second term before his assassination.