Media personality and former presidential spokesperson Reuben Abati has criticized former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, over his recent pledge to serve only one term if elected Nigeria’s president.
Abati described the remark as a sign of desperation during his appearance on Arise Television’s Monday programme.
The comment comes amid mixed reactions to Obi’s statement that he would not seek re-election if given the presidency. Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo had earlier dismissed Obi’s one-term promise, though the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate has stood by his position.
In his reaction, Abati insisted that such promises were politically ineffective. “What I am saying is that any politician that comes to you and says that I am going to do only one term, that is a sign of desperation. It will not work. Just like the gambit about serving food and carrying plates or doing boy-boy at parties that will be better organised by event organisers. It is also a sign of desperation; it will not work,” he said.
Abati further argued that Nigeria’s progress depends on voters prioritizing competence over regional or religious sentiments.
“If Nigerian people are politically educated to a point where they can vote for a competent person regardless of where he comes from or his religion, that’s when the country will begin to move forward. So, all this ‘I will do one term, I will serve you food,’ that’s not going to work,” he added.
