A former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has reiterated his pledge to serve a single term if elected president in 2027.

Mr Obi restated this in a statement on X on Sunday, following Anambra State Governor, Chukuwma Soludo’s speech that any politician promising to serve a single term needed psychiatric evaluation.

He stated, “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 added that he understood the basis of their scepticism, saying that they judged him by their own standards – where political promises were made to be broken.

Mr Obi noted, “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.”

Citing leaders such as ex-U. S. presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela of South Africa, who all served one term and yet left good legacies, Mr Obi said, “I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct.”

He added, “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.”

Mr Obi further said that longevity in office was not a mark of success; adding that rather it was purposeful, accountable service – however brief – that defines true statesmanship.

He stated, “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.”

Mr Obi noted that in just four years in office if elected he would dedicate himself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, where agriculture, technology, and manufacturing replace rent-seeking and waste as the national anchors.

He added, “These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years.”