One-Term Presidency: Peter Obi Is a Serial Liar – Tinubu’s Aide

The Presidency has strongly criticized former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as a “serial liar” for his recent vow to serve only one term if elected President in 2027.

This rebuke came in reaction to Obi’s public reaffirmation of his commitment to a single term in office. In defending both the practicality and moral grounding of the vow, Obi cited the leadership examples of renowned global figures who served briefly in office but left enduring legacies.

During a recent media appearance, Obi stated: “One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership. Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations. In Africa, Nelson Mandela—revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation—chose to serve only one term as President of South Africa, despite immense public pressure to stay longer.”

He further emphasized that his personal and political integrity remains intact, citing his governance record in Anambra State as proof of his reliability.
“In my political life, my word is my bond. When I entered politics in Anambra, I made specific, measurable promises to the people—improving education and healthcare, expanding rural infrastructure through road construction, and ensuring prudent fiscal management. I fulfilled those promises without deviation. I didn’t swear by a shrine, nor have I been diagnosed as mentally unfit for honoring my word,” he declared.

However, presidential aide and Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Obi’s claims, stating that the former governor’s track record contradicts his current statements. In a strongly worded response, Onanuga accused Obi of dishonesty and hypocrisy.

“You are neither Mandela, Lincoln, nor Kennedy,” Onanuga wrote. “You speak as though you’ve never held an elected office before. But the truth is, you sought re-election as Anambra State Governor in 2010 and narrowly secured victory, thanks to a divided opposition. If you truly believed in one-term service, why didn’t you step down after your first term?”

He went further to question the impact of Obi’s eight-year tenure in Anambra State, stating,
“Even after serving two terms, Anambra did not reflect the transformation expected under your leadership. If you couldn’t deliver significant change in a small state like Anambra in eight years, how can Nigerians be assured you’ll do better in a vast, complex, and diverse country like Nigeria within just four years?”

Onanuga also referenced Obi’s departure from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), accusing him of failing to keep his promises in the past.
“You constantly speak about trust and keeping promises, yet your political history tells a different story. You once vowed not to leave APGA, but you did. Whether your reason for defecting is valid or not, it only proves one thing—when the time comes, you’ll always find an excuse to abandon any vow, including this one-term pledge.”

Onanuga questioned the reliability of Obi’s political integrity. He said, “You ask the public to trust you, but how can they trust someone who breaks even the simplest political promises? You’ve been known to lie with reckless abandon, sometimes unnecessarily. That’s not the profile of someone worthy of the nation’s highest office.”