The Presidency has criticized former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent one-term pledge, describing his use of historical figures as misleading.
Obi, in a post on Sunday via X, vowed to serve only one term if elected president in 2027. He cited world leaders like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela as inspirations for his “sacrosanct” commitment.
Responding on Monday, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi’s comparisons were historically inaccurate.
He explained that Abraham Lincoln had already begun a second term before his assassination, having been re-elected in November 1864 and inaugurated in March 1865. Lincoln was assassinated the following month.
Onanuga also pointed out that John F. Kennedy did not complete his first term, having been assassinated in November 1963, less than three years into office.
While acknowledging that Nelson Mandela served only one term, Onanuga said the decision was due to his age, not a pre-election pledge, implying that Mandela’s example was more applicable to an older candidate, subtly referring to a rival opposition figure.
Though Obi has yet to officially declare his candidacy, his recent remarks have reignited public speculation about his political intentions ahead of the 2027 elections.
