The Presidency has clashed with former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential aspirant under the platform of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, over a one-term pledge.
Obi, during an interview with News Central, reiterated his commitment to serving only one term of four years, even with a gun to his head if elected President in 2027
But the Presidency questioned the credibility of the former Labour Party presidential candidate, saying Nigerians should not trust his promise to serve only one term if elected President in 2027.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this in a post on his X handle, accusing Obi of repeatedly abandoning political parties despite previous pledges of loyalty.
“If you believe Peter Obi’s promise to serve only one term as president, you’ll believe anything,” Onanuga wrote.
The presidential aide said Obi, while in the All Progressives Grand Alliance, vowed never to leave the party that made him Governor of Anambra State.
According to him, Obi also pledged loyalty to the late APGA leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, before later leaving the party for the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Consider his record: while in APGA, he famously placed himself under a self-curse, vowing never to leave the party that made him Governor.
“He gave his word to the Ikemba, even on his deathbed, swearing loyalty and fidelity to APGA.
“Yet, Peter Obi’s pledges have always been short-lived. He ultimately abandoned APGA for the PDP, and since then, he has drifted from one political platform to another — a political rolling stone,” Onanuga wrote.
He added, “By his own actions, Peter Obi has shown that his word cannot be trusted. His promises are as fleeting as his political allegiances.”
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, left the PDP ahead of the 2023 presidential election and joined the Labour Party, under which he contested the Presidency.
He also left the Labour Party this Year and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Consequently, he left the ADC this month and joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day longer than four years, even with a gun to my head,” Obi said.
The former Governor also criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly rising borrowing levels and the increasing cost of living across the country.
According to him, Nigeria is currently passing through one of its most difficult periods economically and socially.
