Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his commitment to ethical politics, stating unequivocally that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice or political violence throughout his political career.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Obi declared, “Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name.”
The former Anambra State governor emphasized that even his fiercest political opponents can testify to the fairness of his political conduct.
“Ask those who have contested against me, none were ever denied their rights, framed, or falsely accused. None was asked to place their advert materials or break the bank to do so,” he said, adding that he has always preferred fair competition over “manufactured victories.”
Obi also addressed criticisms surrounding his pledge to serve only one term if elected president, saying the backlash reveals a disturbing lack of confidence in sincere leadership.
“I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months,” he stated.
Dismissing claims that he is desperate for power, Obi said his motivation lies not in ambition but in a genuine desire to rebuild Nigeria.
“I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. What drives me is not personal ambition, but a deep commitment to see Nigeria work,” he explained.
According to Obi, a focused and transparent administration can use a single term to address corruption, enforce the rule of law, and revamp essential sectors such as education and healthcare.
“In four years we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring credible elections within that timeframe.
Obi concluded by reiterating his philosophy that leadership should be rooted in service rather than entitlement.
“Leadership, to me, is not about entitlement. It is about service. If given the mandate, for just one term, I will dedicate every moment to building a Nigeria that works for all,” he said.
