The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has addressed the public reaction to a viral video showing him serving food at a recent event, describing the act as a demonstration of leadership rooted in service, not spectacle.
In a statement posted on Sunday via his official X handle, Obi clarified that his appearance at the Jubilee of Hope in Imo State was a private, low-profile event focused on promoting empathy and responsibility among the privileged. He had not invited the media nor posted about the gathering himself, but third parties circulated images and footage that drew attention and criticism online.
According to Obi, the event was never about political showmanship but aimed to challenge societal norms by encouraging wealthy Nigerians to momentarily step away from their elevated status and serve the less privileged. He emphasized that the gathering involved several distinguished individuals, including religious and corporate leaders like Cardinal Onaiyekan, Senator Osita Izunaso, and former Seplat Plc Chairman, Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako, who also participated in serving food discreetly.
“It wasn’t about the cameras; it was about conscience,” Obi tweeted. The former Anambra State governor expressed surprise at the reactions trailing his actions, insisting that service to others is a natural part of his life. He recounted similar behavior during his time in office and noted that he maintains the same habits in his personal life, handling domestic chores and serving his guests without hired help.
Obi explained that he remained at the event longer than planned because many attendees had personally requested that he serve them, stressing that such gestures should not be seen as extraordinary, but as an expected standard of leadership.3 He further urged public office holders and citizens to adopt service as a cultural norm and to actively support the vulnerable as part of building a more equitable society.