I have taken the time to listen to those who criticize Mr. Peter Obi and have followed up on their comments. When they speak, I notice that their approach consistently focuses on dragging him down and grouping him under the same roof as those who have ruined the country with corruption and bad governance.
Now, let us agree and consider for a moment with those who have grouped and labeled him under the same roof as just another corrupt politician. Mr Peter Obi is said to be corrupt, but even with the labels, let me try to differentiate and ask some fundamental questions.
Mr Peter Obi was singled out by Abraham Nwankwo, the then DG of the Debt Management Office, as the only governor who never came to their office to request approval to borrow money and, therefore, never borrowed.
He was recognized as the most prudent governor by the then-finance minister. The global measurement of development in 2000 – 2015 was MDGs, and it was number 1 in the country.
He took Anambra State from low rank in education to number 1. Took health care to number 1 in the country as well. The Ministry of Works awarded him as the number 1 with the most constructed road networks. Poverty alleviation under Magnus Kpakol acknowledged him as number 1. International donor agencies rated him as the first to pay his counterpart funds. He never owed gratuity or pension and cleared the backlogs of what he met on the ground. He started the first sub-national savings in the country- Remarkably, left a balance of about ₦75 billion, including $150 million in foreign currency, amongst other notable things he did.
Mr. Peter Obi refused to sign the pension law for governors, which is why he consistently asserts that Anambra State has not even bought him a bottle of water, nor has he received any land allocation, directly or indirectly. Additionally, he continues to visit, every month, at least 4 to 5 institutions—schools, hospitals, and farms run by voluntary agencies—and I have accompanied him on several of these visits. Over the past decade, he has visited at least 1,000 schools, donating more than ₦5 billion—funds he could have easily used to acquire property in a prime location in Abuja, where he owns none.
Mr. Peter Obi is often labeled as corrupt, which is a fair criticism to consider. However, the real question is: can others achieve what he has done and continues to do? How many of our past and current leaders can claim a similar legacy of substantial savings, timely salary payments, responsible pension management, and consistent support to schools and health institutions—even a decade after leaving office? He has continued to visit and donate millions to these institutions long after his tenure. I only wish others would follow the same path so they, too, could be judged and grouped in the same category.
My question is: who among today’s leaders, including the paymasters of those whose sole aim is to bring him down, can be compared to him or lives as he does?
A new Nigeria is POssible!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Moses Paul writes from Abuja
