Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared that he will serve only a single four-year term if elected president in 2027, insisting that impactful leadership does not require extended time in office.
In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi said his commitment is rooted in the belief that effective governance is defined by purpose, integrity, and results, not by duration in power.
“Longevity in office is not a mark of success,” Obi wrote.
“It is purposeful, accountable service, however brief, that defines true statesmanship.
“I will serve only one term of four years if elected president. That vow is sacrosanct.”
He cited notable global leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, who achieved remarkable legacies during relatively short periods in office.
Obi, who remains a central figure in the emerging opposition coalition that recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a potential platform for the 2027 elections, has yet to confirm if he will contest under the ADC or stay with the Labour Party.
He has not formally resigned from the LP.
Speaking on his policy priorities, Obi said his administration would focus on cleaning up governance, tackling insecurity through better resource management, reforming education and healthcare, empowering small businesses, and shifting Nigeria’s economy toward productivity through agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
“Forty-eight months is enough for any prepared leader to make a meaningful difference,” he added, warning that extended tenures often lead to complacency or corruption in leadership, particularly in Africa.
