Veteran Journalist Defends Peter Obi’s Humility Amid Political Criticism

A respected journalist and former Chairman of the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Hyacinth Okoli, has come to the defence of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, over recent criticisms surrounding his public display of humility.

Okoli, who also served as the Acting Director-General of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, described Obi’s well-known habit of personally serving guests at events as a genuine trait, not a political gimmick, as some have suggested.

Reacting to comments made by political opponents, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Okoli recalled several personal experiences that underscored Obi’s humility during his tenure as Governor of Anambra State.

“For clarity, Peter Obi served over 30 of us when the leadership of NUJ Zone C (South East) visited him at the Anambra Government Lodge in Amawbia during his first term as governor,” Okoli stated. “Initially, those of us from outside Anambra tried to resist, but our colleagues explained it was his regular practice.”

He further recounted another instance during Obi’s second term when over 120 journalists from across the country attended a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NUJ. According to Okoli, Obi, alongside his wife, personally served food to all in attendance, an act that left many astonished.

“I am not his spokesperson,” Okoli clarified, “but I’m a Nigerian who is disturbed by the ongoing distortion of facts by people clearly threatened by Obi’s rising profile.”

He condemned the recent criticism by Wike, who dismissed Obi’s serving of guests as “pretense” and questioned whether he had done the same during his time as governor.

“It shows a lack of awareness for a public figure to ask whether Peter Obi served people during his tenure. That’s his character, not a campaign stunt,” Okoli emphasized.

He urged political leaders to focus on issue-based politics rather than resorting to character attacks, adding that the country needs sincere conversations about improving security, the economy, and governance, not distractions.

“As politicians, we owe Nigerians honesty and responsible discourse,” he concluded.