In a recent statement via his official X account on Thursday May 14, 2026, Segun Sowunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticized politicians who make public promises to serve only one term in office, describing such declarations as unrealistic and misleading in a constitutional democracy.
”Leadership is not performance theatre. A constitutional democracy cannot be run on sentimental promises that collapse under the weight of reality the moment power is attained. Any person casually offering a one term is a joker! or a fraud or both,” he wrote.
In his post, Sowunmi was reacting to renewed political discussions surrounding promises by some politicians, including Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, that major national reforms could be achieved within a single four-year term.
According to Sowunmi, governance is far more complex than campaign rhetoric, and serious national challenges cannot be solved through emotional promises aimed at winning public sympathy, he argued that leadership should be based on practical plans, institutional stability, and long-term policy direction rather than symbolic statements.
The PDP chieftain warned against what he described as performance politics, where politicians make dramatic pledges that become difficult to fulfill after assuming office, he said many leaders underestimate the realities of governing a country as large and complicated as Nigeria.
Sowunmi maintained that casually promising to spend only one term in office raises questions about sincerity and understanding of governance, in his view, such commitments often collapse once political power is attained and the realities of administration emerge.
He suggested that some of these promises are designed mainly to attract support from frustrated voters seeking quick solutions to the country’s problems, he stressed that rebuilding Nigeria requires more than slogans or personal assurances, according to him, meaningful progress depends on strong institutions, policy continuity, and disciplined leadership capable of sustaining reforms over time….Read_More…
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