Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has taken a swipe at former presidential candidate Peter Obi for his recent statement that he would serve only one term if elected president.
It was reported that Onanuga, in a tweet, questioned the credibility of Obi’s promise, saying Nigerians should not trust the former Anambra State governor’s political commitments based on his past deeds.
The presidential aide recounted Obi’s tenure in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), where he allegedly swore allegiance to the party and promised never to leave it after winning the governorship on its platform.
“Obi also assured the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu that he would continue to be in APGA,” Onanuga added. But he said Obi later left the party to join the Peoples Democratic Party.
Onanuga said Obi’s movement from one political platform to another over the years raises questions on whether his latest promise can be trusted.
“The president’s spokesperson said Obi was a politician whose political alliances change frequently, and that past decisions have eroded confidence in his public statements.
He wrote: “If you believe Peter Obi’s promise to serve only one term as president, you will believe anything. Take his record: while in APGA, he famously placed himself under a self-curse, vowing never to leave the party that made him governor. He gave his word to the Ikemba even on his deathbed, swearing loyalty and fidelity to APGA.
“But Peter Obi’s promises have never lasted long. He finally left APGA for the PDP and since then, he has been a political rolling stone, drifting from one political platform to another. Peter Obi has proved by his own actions that his word cannot be trusted. His promises are as ephemeral as his political affiliations.”
The criticism comes soon after Obi said, during an interview, that he would be willing to spend just one term in office if elected president.
Obi had said that within four years he would focus on stabilizing the country and tackling urgent national challenges.
