Peter Obi’s One-Term Promise is Populist Rhetoric, Not Practical Governance – Josef Onoh

Dr. Josef Onoh, former Southeast campaign spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, has criticized Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, for promising to serve only one term if elected president in 2027. Onoh described Obi’s pledge as politically convenient but fundamentally unrealistic and constitutionally dubious.

According to Onoh, while Obi presents the promise as an act of selfless leadership, it is instead a strategic political move designed to appeal to coalition partners and the electorate. “The Nigerian Constitution under Section 137(1)(b) clearly permits a president to serve two four-year terms. Obi’s vow to limit himself to one term bypasses this democratic provision and disregards the electorate’s right to reelect a performing leader,” he said.

He warned that the promise undermines the spirit of democratic governance and casts doubt on Obi’s commitment to the constitutional process. Onoh also criticized Obi’s references to global icons like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, calling the comparisons contextually flawed and historically inaccurate.

“Mandela’s single term was a unique product of South Africa’s post-apartheid healing process. Lincoln and Kennedy, meanwhile, operated under entirely different systems. Nigeria’s complex governance challenges—ranging from corruption and insecurity to economic instability—demand long-term commitment, not symbolic gestures,” Onoh stated.

He went further to question Obi’s credibility, pointing to a political history marked by expediency and shifting allegiances. “He switched from APGA to PDP during his tenure as Anambra governor to serve his personal ambitions. His political actions then and now reveal a pattern inconsistent with the ‘word-is-bond’ image he tries to project,” Onoh added.

He warned Nigerians against being swayed by what he called Obi’s “populist rhetoric,” noting that similar political promises in the past have lacked any means of enforcement. “Claims like promising to fix insecurity, improve education and healthcare, and sanitize governance within four years show a gross underestimation of Nigeria’s challenges. Even President Buhari couldn’t achieve such goals in eight years,” he argued.

On the issue of public trust, Onoh said Obi’s pledge may actually contribute further to public cynicism. “His one-term vow, without any legal or institutional safeguards, is unenforceable. It’s aspirational at best, and deceptive at worst,” he said.

Defending Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo’s call for a “psychiatric evaluation” of politicians making such promises, Onoh said it reflected a valid concern. “Such an unrealistic promise shows either a lack of confidence in long-term leadership or a naive belief that deep-rooted national problems can be solved overnight. Governance is not a sprint—it’s a marathon,” he emphasized.

While acknowledging Obi’s reputation for personal prudence, such as his modest lifestyle, Onoh maintained that this alone does not validate the feasibility of his political promise. “Nigerians deserve leaders who work within constitutional frameworks, understand the scale of our national issues, and offer sustained reform, not quick-fix illusions.”

He concluded by urging Nigerians to scrutinize campaign promises thoroughly. “Obi’s one-term pledge may sound noble, but it lacks substance, accountability, and historical grounding. If he doubts this, I challenge him: go and verify.”