Psychiatric Evaluation: Service Should Be Impactful, Not Eternal – Obi Hits Back At Soludo Over Remarks On Single-Term Promise
The Labour Party Presidential candidate during the last general election, Peter Obi, has once again promised to serve a single term of four years if elected the country’s president in 2027.
Obi’s remark was in response to a statement by the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, who posited that politicians pledging to serve only one term in office need to undergo a psychiatric examination.
Soludo questioned the logic behind such a promise, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution allowed elected public officials to serve two terms, not just one.
But Obi, in a statement he posted on his official X account on Sunday, said, unlike Soludo, he is bond by his words and will abide by them.
He said, “I understand the basis of their scepticism. 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.”
The former governor of Anambra state said added that, “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.”
Obi, while referencing some of the great past leaders, said, “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.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
