By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s recent pledge to serve only one term if elected, accusing him of dishonesty and inconsistency.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Onanuga ridiculed Obi’s vow, saying, “You’re neither a Mandela nor a Lincoln or a Kennedy. You sound as if you have never held an elected office before.”
He argued that Obi lacks the moral standing to make such a pledge, citing his political history.
He recalled that Obi had served two terms as governor of Anambra State, asking why he didn’t step aside after his first term if he truly believed in a one-term principle.
“Why didn’t you walk away after only one term in office?” Onanuga asked, suggesting Obi’s re-election was only possible because the opposition was fragmented at the time.
Onanuga further criticized Obi’s performance in Anambra, claiming the state did not witness significant progress during his eight-year rule.
“If you couldn’t transform a small Anambra after 8 years, is there a guarantee that you’ll do anything significant under 4 years as President of a complex and complicated Nigeria?” he queried.
He also accused Obi of reneging on previous political promises, including his pledge to remain in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which he later left.
“How do you expect people to trust someone who can’t keep a simple promise not to leave a political party?” Onanuga asked.
As of the time of filing this report, Obi has not responded to Onanuga’s remarks.
