13/07/2025
Peter Obi Defends Serving Food at Charity Event, Says Humility Is a Way of Life
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has addressed social media reactions to his participation in a charity event in Imo State, where he was seen serving food to underprivileged citizens. The event, dubbed “Jubilee of Hope,” sparked online debate after photos and videos of Obi personally serving meals went viral, with some critics labeling the act as politically motivated and others praising it as a display of humility.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday, Obi clarified that the event was not about self-promotion but about fostering compassion and service in leadership. “Let me be clear, that event was not about me. 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 said.
Obi emphasized that the event was private, with no press invited or publicity sought, and that third parties independently shared the viral images and videos. “As expected, the usual naysayers and paid agents went to work trying to twist something sincere into something political,” he remarked. He noted that the Jubilee of Hope aimed to promote a society rooted in “empathy, equity, and responsibility,” with elites serving the less fortunate.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted that he was not the only prominent figure serving at the event, citing participation by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Senator Osita Izunaso, and former Seplat Chairman Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako. Obi defended his actions, stating, “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.”
Explaining why he lingered at the event, Obi said several attendees requested that he personally serve them, a request he could not ignore. “Service is not special — it is expected,” he added. He called for a cultural shift among Nigerian elites, urging public office holders, business leaders, and citizens to embrace service and compassion. “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,” Obi stated.
He concluded with a vision for a transformed Nigeria, saying, “Let us work together to build a country where hope is not seasonal, and dignity is not a privilege, but a right. A new Nigeria is possible.”
