One Term Presidency: Peter Obi Replies Gov Soludo, Says Lincoln, Mandela Didn’t Seek Re-Election

 Former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has reacted to the assertions made by Governor Charles Soludo on Saturday and restated his commitment to keeping his word in respect of not seeking re-election if he becomes the nation’s president.

Mr Peter Obi is one of Governor Charles Soludo’s predecessors.

He served as governor of Anambra State from March 17, 2006, to November 2, 2006, when he was impeached. Mr. Peter Obi was reinstated on February 9, 2007, and his tenure ended on March 17, 2010. He subsequently served a second term from March 17, 2010, to March 17, 2014. 

Recall that Mr Peter Obi had in June this year disclosed plans to run for president in 2027 , but however promised to spend only one term if elected president.

The former Anambra State governor was the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Governor Charles Soludo noted on Saturday  that the Nigerian Constitution allows elected public officials to serve two terms, and added that anyone who says he will spend one term may need to undergo a psychiatric examination.

 ‘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’ he said.

 Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the former LP presidential candidate has taken to social media to react to what Soludo said and he has expressed commitment to keeping his word.

In an X.com post on Sunday, he also noted that ‘great men’ including Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela did not seek re-election when they became the president of their respective countries.

‘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.

Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it. Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service – however brief – that 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. 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. 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.

 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. I understand the basis of their skepticism.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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; catalyze small businesses as engines of growth ; and combat corruption with unflinching resolve. 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. A new Nigeria is Possible. –PO’ he wrote-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you