Peter Obi is once again insisting he’ll only serve four years if he wins the presidency in 2027 — and not everyone’s buying it – www.naijnaira.com reports.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) isn’t convinced, calling Obi’s one-term promise a “campaign strategy” that holds no legal weight.
Speaking to Leadership, ACF spokesperson Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba said the constitution allows a second term, and no one can be legally held to a personal promise once elected.
He pointed out that even President Buhari once said he’d serve one term — but returned for another without any legal consequence.
Muhammad-Baba added, “If Obi changes his mind later, there’s no law stopping him. It’s politics, not policy.”
Obi, however, remains firm. “My word is my bond,” he posted on X, emphasizing that four years is enough for a focused leader to make real impact.
He cited Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela as examples of leaders who served short terms but left strong legacies.
Obi said it’s not about how long one stays in power, but what one does with the time.
He brushed off critics who say his vow is unrealistic, noting that he fulfilled every promise during his time as Anambra State governor.
“I didn’t need to swear by a shrine. I said what I’d do and I did it,” he added.
Obi explained that Nigeria’s real need is integrity and purposeful leadership, not endless tenure.
He believes four years is enough to reform governance, grow small businesses, fix security lapses, and make the country productive again.
He made it clear that he’s not swayed by public skepticism, stating, “I know trust is hard to earn these days, but I’ve shown what I’m about.”
Meanwhile, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum’s leader, Yerima Shettima, wasn’t having it either.
Shettima said Obi’s vow sounds like a ploy to gain attention and distract from President Tinubu, whom he claims is doing well and should be backed to finish his own eight-year tenure.
He said, “We can’t be fooled. Obi’s promise is empty — Tinubu deserves our continued support.”
Obi responded by stressing that he’s not trying to trick anyone. His promise, he said, is grounded in the belief that leadership should be about service, not self-preservation.
“Nigeria can’t afford another cycle of broken promises,” Obi said. “It’s time for leadership people can believe in — and I intend to provide that.”
Article updated 4 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
