2027 Election: Tinubu's Spokesperson Reacts as Peter Obi Says His One Term Vow is Sacrosanct
- One of the presidential spokespersons, Bayo Onanuga, tackled presidential hopeful Peter Obi for justifying his pledge to serve only one term of four years in elected president of Nigeria
- In a statement, Obi referenced global figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela, explaining that each led with principle and left enduring legacies despite short tenures
- Obi is a key political figure in the opposition coalition that recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election
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Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering elections, politics, and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - Bayo Onanuga has reacted after Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, said he remains committed to his vow to serve only one term if elected president.
Onanuga spoke on Monday, August 4, via his official X (formerly Twitter) page.
Source: Facebook
Obi had said history has shown that purposeful leadership is not defined by how long one stays in power but by the impact made in a short time.
In his statement, Obi cited examples of icons like John Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, and Nelson Mandela, 'who did not complete full term, but their ideals still inspire people.'
The former Anambra state governor was reacting to comments doubting the sincerity of his one-term promise.
He explained that he understood the scepticism and promised that if elected president in the 2027 election, he will not spend a day beyond four years in office.
Tinubu's spokesman criticises Peter Obi again
But reacting via a statement shared on his verified X handle, Onanuga, a presidential spokesperson, said Obi referencing the likes of Abraham Lincoln, JFK, and Nelson Mandela is "wrong".
"Obi would have found that Lincoln, at the time he was assassinated, had finished his first term, had won re-election, and had been sworn in for a second term.
"Lincoln began his first term on March 4, 1861. He won re-election on November 8, 1864, and was sworn in on March 4, 1865, before his assassination on April 15, 1865.
"John F. Kennedy, who shared a similar tragic fate with Lincoln, came into office on 20 January 1960 as the 35th President of the United States. He was assassinated on November 22, 1963, before the expiration of his first term."
The special adviser on information and strategy to President Tinubu added:
"Nelson Mandela served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He declined a run for a second term on account of his age. Mandela, at the end of his first term as president, was 81 years old. He decided to retire from politics rather than contest for another five-year term. Mandela’s example might be more appropriately recommended to Obi’s rival for the opposition ticket, who will turn 81 by 2027."
Keyamo plays down Obi, Atiku's chances
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that ahead of the 2027 election, Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, declared that moves by the opposition coalition to unseat President Tinubu will end in futility.
The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) explained that three key demographic factors helped Obi in the 2023 presidential election.
Keyamo listed the factors as regional loyalty from the south-east, religious identity, and the youth-driven 'Obidient' movement.
Source: Legit.ng
