‘I believe Peter Obi’ — Akeredolu’s wife backs one-term promise, compares him to Lee Kuan Yew

Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a former first lady of Ondo State, has thrown her weight behind Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, over his declaration to run for president in 2027 and serve for only one term if elected.

In a statement posted on X, Anyanwu-Akeredolu responded directly to a post by Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, in which he reaffirmed his commitment to a single term in office.

“I believe you, Peter Obi,” she wrote.

“A purposeful leader can indeed transform a country within one term. Once a solid foundation is laid, successive administrations will likely continue on that trajectory, just as Singapore did by building on the blueprint of Lee Kuan Yew.

“Peter Obi, by all indications, is not materialistic. His frugal lifestyle speaks volumes. His presidency would reject the culture of primitive wealth acquisition that has plagued Nigerian politics and impoverished the majority of our people. He has the capacity to fight corruption head-on and clean up the political system from the top down.”

The former first lady said she also aligned with Obi’s economic vision, stating that his focus on production over consumption is critical for national progress.

“Corruption remains a destructive force in our ecosystem, stalling socio-economic progress at every level. A leader like Obi, governed by principle, integrity, and personal example, can compel a cultural shift,” she said.

“I believe him when he says one term is enough to start rewriting Nigeria’s story. His vision to move us from a consumption-driven economy to one that produces and prospers is exactly what we need to become the true giant of Africa, not just on paper, but in reality.”

Obi had described the one-term pledge as “sacrosanct”, stating that his motivation stems from a deep conviction that effective leadership is not about longevity but about accountability and purpose.

He cited leaders like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela as examples of those whose short tenures left a lasting impact.

However, the declaration drew criticism from the presidency and political analysts.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, labelled Obi “dishonest”.

At the same time, political analyst Reuben Abati dismissed the one-term promise as a “sign of desperation”, arguing that it would not resonate with voters in northern Nigeria.