…Says my one term of four years promise sacrosanct
Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has issued a sharp response to Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo’s recent comments that politicians promising single terms in office “need psychiatric evaluation.”
In a statement released less than 24 hours after Soludo’s remarks, Obi declared that, “My one term, four-year vow is sacrosanct,” while posing a pointed question: “If one term is madness, is our Constitution also mentally unstable for setting four-year terms?”
The exchange comes as Obi prepares to join a newly formed national coalition to wrestle power from the ruling APC in 2027, having consistently promised to serve just one term if elected president.
His statement invoked historical examples of transformative leaders who served brief tenures, noting: “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.”
Obi particularly emphasised Nelson Mandela’s example, describing how the South African leader “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.”
The former Anambra governor argued that “history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it,” adding that “longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service – however brief – that defines true statesmanship.”
Addressing Nigeria’s climate of political distrust, Obi acknowledged: “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.” However, he maintained that his track record sets him apart, stating: “In my political life, my word is my bond.”
The ex Labour Party presidential candidate directly referenced Soludo’s comments about psychiatric evaluation, countering: “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 reiterated his position: “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.”
Obi outlined specific goals for his potential four-year administration, including plans to “sanitise our governance system,” “tackle insecurity through effective and accountable use of national resources,” and “combat corruption with unflinching resolve.”
He emphasised that “forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference,” and concluded with his campaign’s signature message: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
The statement served as a direct response to Soludo’s controversial remarks made during a political rally in Anambra South, where the governor had declared: “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.”
Obi’s detailed rebuttal systematically addresses Soludo’s skepticism while reinforcing his own reputation for keeping promises, noting: “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.” This record, he argues, should give credibility to his current pledge.
The Labour Party leader framed his one-term commitment as part of a broader mission to restore public trust, stating: “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.”
His statement concludes with a vision for transformative change achievable within a single term: “Above all, I will dedicate myself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, where agriculture, technology, and manufacturing replace rent-seeking and waste as our national anchors. These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years.”
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