Mixed reactions on social media are trailing comments by the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, over his pledge to serve only a single term if elected into office.
In a message posted on his official X handle (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Obi, while responding to comments by the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, reiterated his belief that a strong leader can make significant changes and impact in just four years.
He compared his approach to well-known past American leaders like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela of South Africa, who all made important impacts during their short time in office.
Responses on social media have been mixed. While some social media users endorsed his position, others believe four years is too short for any president to fix the country.
@DrIgoloabiam said, “I stand with you @PeterObi. A purposeful leader can indeed transform a country within one term.
“Once a solid foundation is laid, successive administrations will likely continue on that trajectory, just as Singapore did by building on the blueprint of Lee Kuan Yew.
“By all indications, you are not materialistic. Your frugal lifestyle speaks volumes. Your presidency would reject the culture of primitive wealth acquisition that has plagued Nigerian politics and impoverished the majority of our people.
“You have the capacity to fight corruption head-on and clean up the political system from the top down.
“Corruption remains a destructive force in our ecosystem, stalling socio-economic progress at every level. A leader like you, governed by principle, integrity, and personal example, can compel a cultural shift.
“I believe you when you said one term would be enough to start rewriting Nigeria’s story. Your vision to move us from a consumption-driven economy to one that produces and prospers is exactly what we need to become the true giant of Africa, not just on paper, but in reality.
A New Nigeria is, indeed, POssible!”
@Harmless12345 said “4 years is even too much. Yar’Adua did only 2 years, and till today, Nigerians are still discussing him as the best president ever.”
@Mascotwin said: “This is why they can NEVER understand or beat him to the game of integrity! He is more than just a politician, but a beacon of hope and a New Nigeria 🇳🇬 💚
2023 was testing of the waters with 6m votes, but 2027, you already know…
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“Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference. In that time, I intend not merely to make an impression, but to deliver on concrete promises to: 1.) Sanitise our governance system; 2.) Tackle insecurity through effective and accountable use of national resources; 3.) Prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation; 4.) Catalyse small businesses as engines of growth and 5.) Combat corruption with unflinching resolve.”
However, an X user @Allixamani countered that “four years is not enough time to tackle the corruption in the government. After you finish your term, who will take over and continue the work you started?”
@amballium expressed disappointment, saying, “If you only want to be president for one term, you’ve lost my vote. The challenges facing our country are too complex for just one term.
“It feels like you might not be fully committed to making real changes. Good luck anyway.”
@Petertech asked, “Can real change really happen in just four years? What happens after that? Why not plan for two terms to do more?”
@OurFavOnlineDoc showed support for Obi but disagreed with his plan: “No one can fix Nigeria’s deep problems in just four years. It’s sad to say this, but the level of corruption and issues in the country is so serious that it needs more time.
“You can start the process, but it will take longer than that. I really admire Peter Obi and his leadership values, but I believe he should think about serving for more than just four years.”
