BY TONY OKAFOR
The notion that any leader who pledges to serve only one term in office must be suffering from some form of psychiatric illness is a false and dangerous narrative.
It is born out of ignorance and propagated by barons of power intoxication—those who see leadership as a throne to be occupied indefinitely rather than a sacred trust.
Public service is not a lifetime entitlement; it is a solemn duty. True leadership is measured not by the length of time in office but by the quality and impact of what is achieved within that time.
A one-term pledge is not an admission of weakness or mental instability. It is a declaration of principle, focus and moral clarity. It sends a clear message to the people: I am here to serve, not to cling.
Across the world, history is replete with examples of leaders who chose to serve briefly yet left enduring legacies.
Nelson Mandela offers perhaps the most instructive example. After a single term as President of South Africa, he voluntarily walked away from office, proving that legacy is built on sacrifice, not tenure. He did more in one term than many manage in a lifetime and remains a global icon.
Even closer to home, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan chose the higher path after one term in 2015. Had he been drunk on power, he could have resisted his defeat. Instead, he conceded, declaring that his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian. His decision to accept defeat peacefully is still celebrated around the world as a moment of rare statesmanship.
In fact, in some climes, such as Mexico, the Philippines and parts of Latin America, a single-term presidency is enshrined in their constitutions as a safeguard against power entrenchment, corruption and abuse.
These constitutional limits are designed to protect institutions, encourage fresh ideas, and prevent leaders from turning public office into a personal empire.
It is only when leaders are driven by corruption, greed and an insatiable lust for power that they convince themselves they need donkey years in office to make an impact. History shows that a focused administration, with vision and sincerity, can transform a nation or state within four years.
To those who equate a one-term pledge with psychiatric illness, let it be clear to them that the true madness lies in refusing to relinquish power when the people no longer want you.
Real madness is the hunger for a second, third or even fourth term while schools rot, hospitals collapse and citizens suffer.
Our society urgently needs leaders who will run a focused race, not those who imagine that governance is a lifetime pension plan. We must reject the culture of tenure-obsession and begin to measure leadership by results, not by the calendar.
Serving only one term is not a sign of weakness—or insanity. It is a sign of character, humility and vision.
The era of glorifying titles like “Baba go-slow” must give way to an era where leaders come to serve, deliver and depart.
Governance is about delivering results, not clinging to office. This is serious business, not a fun city.
