“Peter Obi Is Untrustworthy and Lies Needlessly” — Tinubu’s Aide Onanuga Slams One-Term Pledge

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has launched a scathing attack on Labour Party leader and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, calling him “untrustworthy” and accusing him of making “reckless” and dishonest promises. The criticism came in response to Obi’s renewed pledge on Sunday to serve only one term if elected president in 2027.

In a post on X, Onanuga said Obi’s track record suggests he cannot be taken seriously, citing past instances where he allegedly broke his word — most notably his defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) after vowing to remain in the party. “You talk about keeping your promises or your vow being your bond, but you and I know that’s not true,” Onanuga wrote. “You have broken previous promises and usually lie with reckless abandon, sometimes needlessly.”

He argued that if Obi could justify leaving APGA despite a public commitment, it would be just as easy for him to walk back his one-term promise if elected. “How do you expect people to trust someone who can’t keep a simple promise not to leave a political party?” Onanuga asked.

Questioning Obi’s performance in office, the presidential aide said the former governor failed to deliver transformational change in Anambra across his two terms, raising doubts about his capacity to lead Nigeria. “If you couldn’t transform a small Anambra State after eight years, is there a guarantee that you’ll do anything significant under four years as president of a complex and complicated Nigeria?” he stated.

Onanuga also challenged Obi’s credibility on term limits, pointing out that he ran for re-election in 2010 rather than stepping down after a single term. “Why didn’t you walk away after only one term in office?” he asked, accusing Obi of acting as though he never held elected office.

Obi’s renewed one-term pledge followed comments by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who recently said any politician promising a single term needed psychiatric evaluation. Despite the criticism, Obi reiterated that his commitment to a single term is rooted in his desire to rebuild Nigeria’s economy and governance structures.