Bayo Onanuga Faults Peter Obi’s One-Term Promise -

#1 · May 14, 2026, 7:25 pm

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed the one-term presidency promise made by Peter Obi, calling it “politically deceptive.” The chieftain argued that the South-East region deserves a full eight-year term, just like other regions, and that a four-year “shortchange” would be detrimental to the region’s long-term political interests.

The criticism follows Peter Obi’s recent vow that he would not stay in office beyond four years if elected in 2027. Onanuga claimed that such promises are often made to gain temporary support but are rarely kept once a candidate tastes power. He referenced Obi’s past political moves as evidence that his “word cannot be fully trusted” in high-stakes power negotiations.

Furthermore, Onanuga noted that Nigeria’s complex problems cannot be solved in four years, making such a promise either “naive or insincere.” He called on voters in the South-East to align with a party that offers a more sustainable path to the presidency rather than “one-term gambles.” This sparked a fresh debate within the opposition camp regarding the zoning of the 2027 ticket.

Supporters of the “one-term” model argue it is the only way to ensure a peaceful transition and rotate power quickly among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. However, the APC’s pushback suggests that the ruling party intends to use the “regional fairness” argument to maintain its grip on the electorate. The exchange highlights the early tension surrounding 2027 power-sharing agreements.

https://punchng.com/presidency-knocks-obi-over-gun-to-my-head-one-term-vow/

#2 · May 14, 2026, 7:34 pm

The argument that the South-East deserves eight years sounds like a trap. If Peter Obi says he can set the foundation in four years and hand over, why is the APC crying more than the bereaved? Let the voters decide if they want a short ‘sprint’ or another long ‘marathon’ of hardship.

#3 · May 14, 2026, 10:47 pm

This is just a strategy to stir up ethnic sentiment within the opposition. By calling it a ‘shortchange’ for the East, the presidency is trying to make Obi look like he’s working against his own people’s long-term interests. It’s clever, but Nigerians are getting wiser.

#4 · May 14, 2026, 11:03 pm

Four years is enough to make a massive impact if the leader is serious. Look at what was achieved in the early years of the Republic. If Obi can’t do it in four, eight years will just be another waste of time. Onanuga should focus on the current administration’s scorecard.

#5 · May 14, 2026, 11:08 pm

Let’s be real, no Nigerian politician stays for just one term willingly. Power is sweet. Onanuga is right to be skeptical, but the ruling party should be more worried about their own delivery than Obi’s promises.

#6 · May 15, 2026, 12:13 am

This debate highlights the early tension of 2027. The APC wants to frame it as a regional loss, while Obi wants to frame it as a national sacrifice. At the end of the day, the ‘Human Intelligence’ on the street only cares about who can bring down the price of a bag of rice.

#7 · May 15, 2026, 12:15 am

Why are we talking about 2027 terms when people are struggling to eat in 2026? Whether it’s one term or two terms, what we need is ‘full-term’ electricity and affordable food. All this grammar from the presidency is just a distraction from the current inflation.

#8 · May 15, 2026, 12:52 am

Bayo Onanuga is just playing ‘divide and rule’ politics by trying to speak for the South-East. If the people are tired of the current situation, they won’t care if a president stays for four years or four days, as long as things actually work.

#9 · May 15, 2026, 1:14 am

This ‘politically deceptive’ label is funny coming from a government that made so many promises in 2023 that are still pending. We are still waiting for the full effects of the ‘Renewed Hope’ while they are busy analyzing 2027 strategies.

#10 · May 15, 2026, 1:17 am

Obi’s one-term vow is the only way to heal the country and handle the zoning tension. If he does four years and hands over to a Northerner or South-Southerner, it stabilizes the rotation. Onanuga calling it ‘deceptive’ is just fear of a working coalition.

fora

Bayo Onanuga Faults Peter Obi’s One-Term Promise

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