As the race for Anambra State’s governorship intensifies ahead of the November 8 election, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, John Chuma Nwosu, has made headlines by swearing an affidavit committing to serve only one term if elected.
Nwosu, who hails from Nnewi in Anambra South Senatorial Zone, made the pledge on Thursday at the High Court in Awka, where he deposed to an affidavit, legally binding himself to a single four-year term.
His decision aligns with Anambra State’s unwritten zoning agreement, which encourages rotation of the governorship among the state’s three senatorial zones — North, Central, and South. The current governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is also from Anambra South and is seeking re-election for a second term.
According to Nwosu, his one-term pledge is a way to respect the spirit of zoning by completing the South’s turn before the office rotates to another zone.
“This is not about power for power’s sake,” Nwosu said after the court process. “Leadership should be about service, not holding on to power. I came into this race to serve, not to rule. I believe four years is enough to bring real change if you are sincere.”
His action has drawn attention across the state, with some political observers calling it a bold and selfless move that could challenge the norm in Nigerian politics, where many politicians seek multiple terms.
Nwosu’s affidavit is seen as a public demonstration of accountability and transparency, values he says will define his leadership style.
While Governor Soludo, also from the South, is hoping for a second term, Nwosu insists that rotational justice and equitable governance require a candidate who is willing to lead with fairness and step aside afterward.
The November election is expected to be tightly contested, and with this move, the ADC candidate may be positioning himself as a credible alternative for voters who value commitment and integrity in leadership.
