Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed shock at the controversy trailing his declaration to serve only one term in office if elected Nigeria’s president. Speaking to journalists during a policy roundtable in Abuja on Monday, August 4, Obi described the backlash as evidence of the entrenched fear of genuine reform among the political elite.
Obi stated that his decision to voluntarily limit himself to a four-year term was driven by a commitment to urgency, accountability, and measurable impact, not by political gimmickry. “I find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate, is generating so much agitation,” he remarked. “It’s almost as if some people are threatened by the idea that real change can happen quickly.”
The former Anambra governor clarified that his one-term agenda is not a legal constraint but a personal vow aimed at proving that significant national transformation is possible within a single term. He added that the obsession with multiple terms has allowed mediocrity to fester while diverting focus from delivering results.
Obi emphasized that his primary goal would be to restore the economy, end systemic waste, and reposition Nigeria on the global map within four years. He said he is confident that with a competent team and the right political will, his administration could deliver landmark progress in infrastructure, education, health, and governance.
Responding to critics who say four years is too short to implement lasting change, Obi cited global examples of reform-minded leaders who made significant impact in single terms. “We don’t need forever to fix Nigeria. What we need is leadership that is willing to work, not to loot,” he stressed.
Political analysts have observed that Obi’s one-term promise might be unsettling to entrenched interests who rely on elongated tenures to consolidate power and patronage networks. Some see the backlash as a sign that his proposal threatens the status quo, especially within traditional power blocs.
The comment has since gone viral on social media, fueling debates across political lines. Supporters hail Obi’s vow as a bold move rooted in integrity and purpose, while detractors label it unrealistic and populist. Regardless, the former governor insists the uproar only proves how desperately the system fears accountability.
