The Presidency has responded sharply to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi following his renewed vow to serve only one term if elected president in 2027, dismissing the pledge as insincere and politically opportunistic.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday to criticize Obi’s declaration, branding the former Anambra State governor a "habitual liar" and accusing him of lacking both political consistency and credibility.

 “Peter Obi, the liar, is exposed again,” 

“You’re neither a Mandela, Lincoln, nor Kennedy. You sought re-election as Anambra Governor in 2010, why didn’t you walk away after one term?” Onanuga wrote.

Onanuga questioned Obi’s performance during his eight-year tenure in Anambra State, arguing that he failed to transform the state despite ample time and opportunity.

“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 added.

The presidency aide further cited Obi’s defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as evidence of political inconsistency, saying the former governor has a track record of breaking promises.

 “You talk about trust, but how do you expect people to trust someone who can’t keep a simple promise not to leave a political party?”

Onanuga’s criticism echoes earlier remarks by Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who in 2023 dismissed one-term presidency pledges as unserious and deceptive.

“How can anybody with a functioning brain say that?” Soludo had said at the time. “Do you think you’re speaking to fools?”

In response, Obi stood firm on his position, reiterating on Sunday via his official X page that a one-term presidency remains a viable and principled stand. He cited global icons such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela as leaders who made lasting impact within limited time in office.

 “Longevity in office is not a mark of success,” Obi wrote. “It is purposeful, accountable service, however brief, that defines true statesmanship.”

Obi dismissed criticisms from his opponents as rooted in cynicism and political projection.

 “They are judging me by their own standards, where political promises are made to be broken,” "But Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation," he said. 

He also acknowledged the doubt surrounding political vows in Nigeria but reaffirmed that his promise is “sacrosanct”, adding that 48 months is enough for any focused leader to make a meaningful difference.

The clash has reignited debate around leadership accountability, trust in political promises, and the feasibility of delivering change in a single term of office.