Ex- Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has explained why he was seen serving food recently at a private event in Imo State.
While supporters praised his humility, opposition figures mocked the gesture, with some labeling it a “publicity stunt.”
In a statement released at the weekend on his social media handle, Obi clarified his actions, stating that the event, the Jubilee of Hope, was a call to servant leadership, not a political display.
“My weekend activity of serving food at a special event has been generating interest, as expected, because leaders in our society have removed the service component in leadership,” he said.
The former Anambra governor, who is widely speculated to be gearing up for the 2027 presidential race under the newly formed opposition coalition, African Democratic Congress (ADC), emphasised that the gathering was not about him.
“It was called the Jubilee of Hope, and its purpose is straightforward—to remind us all that true leadership is service, and that those who have must never forget those who do not,” he explained.
Obi noted that the event was private and that he neither invited media coverage nor posted about it. However, photos and videos circulated online, sparking debates.
“Unfortunately, some third parties, completely outside of my team, shared the content. As expected, the usual naysayers and paid agents went to work trying to twist something sincere into something political,” he said.
He stressed that the initiative encouraged privileged Nigerians to serve the less fortunate, adding that other dignitaries, including Cardinal Onaiyekan and Senator Osita Izunaso, also participated.
“It wasn’t about the cameras; it was about conscience,” Obi stated.
Reacting to critics, he maintained that service has always been his lifestyle, recalling how he personally attended to guests even as a governor.
“I do not have a house help. When guests visit my home, I serve them myself. I live simply, I sweep, I clean, because for me, humility is not a campaign strategy; it is a way of life,” he said.
Obi urged Nigerians to embrace a culture of selfless leadership, stating:
“We cannot speak of building a New Nigeria while ignoring the hungry, the forgotten, and the poor. Events like this must not remain symbolic, they must become cultural.
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