Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has faulted former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over his recent one-term pledge ahead of the 2027 elections, accusing him of misrepresenting historical facts.
Obi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, vowed to serve only a single term if elected president, drawing inspiration from global figures including Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela.
Reacting on Monday via his own X handle, Onanuga dismissed Obi’s references as inaccurate and misleading, urging the former Anambra governor to verify facts before making such claims.
“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,” Onanuga noted, correcting the timeline of Lincoln’s presidency.
He also pointed out that JFK did not even complete a full term, having been assassinated in November 1963, barely three years into office.
While acknowledging Mandela’s one-term presidency, Onanuga argued that the South African leader’s decision stemmed from old age, not a campaign promise, suggesting Mandela’s example might be more relevant to “Obi’s rival for the opposition ticket, who will turn 81 by 2027,” in an apparent jab at another unnamed politician.
Though Obi has not officially declared his intention to run in 2027, his one-term commitment has reignited speculation about a renewed presidential bid.
