The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reacted to a trending picture of him serving food at a public event.
Obi explained that he attended the Jubilee of Hope, a private service event hosted by the Catholic Church in Imo State. One of the highlights of the event is for the wealthy and highly placed members of society to serve the poor.
“But let me restate the heart of the matter, the Jubilee of Hope is designed for the rich to come down from their high places, even if just for a moment, and serve the poor, not as a show, but as a symbol of the society we must build. A society anchored on empathy, equity, and responsibility.” Obi wrote on X.
He further clarified that other well-meaning Nigerians also participated, including Cardinal Onaiyekan, Senator Osita Izunaso, and former Chairman of Seplat Plc, Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako.
“I am genuinely surprised that this simple act has become a topic of discussion. As Governor, I always served others whenever we had events. Even now, in private life, 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.
“At the Jubilee of Hope, I stayed longer because many of the poor attendees requested that I serve them personally. I could not ignore them. That was the only reason. Otherwise, there was nothing special about what I did. Service is not special, it is expected.” he added.
Obi has faced criticism from some quarters, with many describing the trending picture as an act of desperation for a presidential hopeful.
