The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has finally addressed the controversy sparked by viral images and videos showing him serving food at a public event.
In a statement released on Sunday of Peter Obi serving food, where Obi has himself dismissed claims that his actions were mere political theatrics aimed at boosting his 2027 election chances.
Instead, he insisted the event was about true leadership as service, not clout chasing.
The Viral Moment That Shook Nigeria
The footage of Obi personally serving food stirred intense debate across social media and news platforms.
Critics accused him of staging a publicity stunt, questioning why a former governor would engage in such an act publicly.
Some cynics suggested it was a calculated move to craft a humble, relatable image ahead of the next presidential race.
Obi’s response, however, paints a different picture. He explained that the event was a private Jubilee of Hope program held in Imo State.
The initiative was designed to bring the rich down from their “high places” to serve the poor not as a show but as a symbol of the kind of society Nigeria should build.
Jubilee of Hope: A Lesson in Leadership and Empathy
Obi emphasized that the Jubilee of Hope is about empathy, equity, and responsibility.
It is a call for leaders and wealthy Nigerians to remember those less fortunate.
The event included other notable figures such as Cardinal Onaiyekan, Senator Osita Izunaso, and Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako, former Chairman of Seplat Plc, who also served food quietly and sincerely.
“My weekend activity of serving food at a special event has been generating interest, as expectedly, because leaders in our society have removed the service component in leadership,” Obi stated.
He lamented that leadership today lacks the humility and service that should define it.
Not a Publicity Stunt, But a Personal Conviction
Obi made it clear that the event was not orchestrated for media attention.
He did not invite the press, nor did he post about it himself.
The videos and photos were shared by third parties, which led to the twisted political narratives.
He said, “It wasn’t about the cameras; it was about conscience.”
This statement challenges the cynical view that his actions were politically motivated.
Instead, Obi insists that service should be a lifestyle, not a campaign gimmick.
The House Help Controversy: A Window into Obi’s Lifestyle
In a surprising revelation, Obi disclosed that he does not have a house help.
He personally serves guests at his home and handles chores like sweeping and cleaning himself.
This lifestyle choice, he says, reflects his belief that humility is not a campaign strategy but a way of life.
“I am genuinely surprised that this simple act has become a topic of discussion,” Obi said.
He recounted how, even as governor, he served others during events.
This consistency in humility sets him apart from many Nigerian politicians who often live detached, privileged lives.
Serving the Poor: A Moral Obligation, Not a Political Tool
Obi explained that he stayed longer at the Jubilee of Hope because many poor attendees requested he serve them personally. He could not ignore their pleas.
This act was not about gaining political mileage but fulfilling a moral obligation. “Service is not special, it is expected,” Obi stressed.
His words challenge the Nigerian political class, which often treats public service as a privilege or a means to an end rather than a duty.
The Bigger Picture: Building a New Nigeria
The former governor warned against twisting the event’s message into political narratives.
He argued that service to Nigerians must not be seasonal or symbolic but embedded in the culture.
“We cannot speak of building a New Nigeria while ignoring the hungry, the forgotten, and the poor,” Obi said.
He urged public office holders, business leaders, and citizens to unite in lifting others.
“Let us work together to build a country where hope is not seasonal, and dignity is not a privilege, but a right,” he concluded.
A Critique of Nigerian Leadership Culture
Peter Obi’s statement exposes a glaring problem in Nigerian leadership: the disconnect between leaders and the people.
The act of Peter Obi serving food serving food, though simple, has become controversial because it challenges the elitism and entitlement entrenched in the political class.
This controversy also highlights how Nigerian society views humility and service.
Instead of being celebrated, such acts are questioned and politicized.
Obi’s lifestyle eschewing house helps and embracing simplicity stands in stark contrast to the opulence often flaunted by politicians.
The Political Implications: Genuine or Calculated
Despite Obi’s insistence on sincerity, skeptics remain. Some argue that the viral moment was too perfectly timed and crafted to be coincidental.
They see it as part of a broader image makeover aimed at positioning Obi as a man of the people ahead of the 2027 elections.
Whether one believes it or not, the controversy has sparked a much-needed conversation about what leadership should look like in Nigeria.
Service as Leadership
Peter Obi’s experience at the Jubilee of Hope serves as a mirror reflecting the failures of Nigeria’s leadership culture.
His call for empathy, equity, and responsibility is a direct challenge to the status quo.
Obi’s example, controversial as it may be, offers a glimpse of a different kind of leadership one grounded in humility and genuine care for the people.
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