“His word cannot be trusted” – Presidency knocks Obi over renewed one-term pledge

The Presidency on Thursday dismissed Peter Obi’s renewed promise to serve only one term if elected president in 2027, saying the former Labour Party presidential candidate’s political history shows that his words cannot be trusted.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, reacting to Obi’s recent interview with News Central, accused the former Anambra governor of repeatedly abandoning political commitments and switching party loyalties.

“If you believe Peter Obi’s promise to serve only one term as president, you’ll believe anything,” Onanuga wrote on X on Thursday.

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.”

The presidential aide recalled Obi’s exit from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), despite earlier pledges to remain loyal to the party.

“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,” Onanuga said.

“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.”

Obi had reiterated his single-term promise during the interview while speaking on his 2027 ambition.

“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 in my head,” Obi said.

The former Labour Party candidate recently aligned with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South for a single term.