Peter Obi Told Me He’d Do Only One Term Even Before the 2023 Election – Aisha Yesufu

Social media influencer and political activist Aisha Yesufu has reaffirmed that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi had made a firm commitment to serve only one term in office long before the 2023 general elections. Her comments followed renewed public attention on Obi’s promise to govern for just four years if elected president in 2027.

Taking to her X handle on Sunday, Yesufu, a close ally of Obi, clarified that the one-term pledge was not a new development but a longstanding position held by the former Anambra State governor. According to her, Obi discussed the idea with her even before he began his 2023 presidential campaign under the Labour Party.

“I, Aisha Yesufu, can confirm that Mr. Peter Gregory Obi has always said he would do just a term even before the 2023 election,” she wrote. “I used to argue with him that one term is not enough and he can’t just refuse to contest. In fact, I told him on several occasions while we were campaigning in 2022 that the people will not allow him to do just a term. He would use Nelson Mandela as an example. He would explain that if one was ready to really work, a term was more than enough.”

Yesufu also revealed that she had sought reconfirmation of this stance earlier this year amid concerns from northern stakeholders who feared that supporting Obi might extend power in the South by another four years. “I told him that I was going to speak of his promise to do one term only publicly and I needed his confirmation… Mr. Peter Obi once again gave me his word that he was going to do only one term,” she added.

Peter Obi reiterated his one-term promise on Sunday, saying in a statement on X, “In my political life, my word is my bond… 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.”

While the Nigerian constitution allows a president to contest for a second term, Obi has insisted that he would not seek re-election in order to enable a power shift back to the North by 2031. His statement comes amid skepticism from some quarters. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra recently questioned the credibility of such a promise, suggesting that any politician who pledges to serve just one term should undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Despite the criticism, Obi appears unwavering. “Call me crazy, but I keep my word,” he said in a pointed response to Soludo’s remarks.