‘Humility not campaign strategy ’ — Peter Obi responds to viral video of him serving food

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, says true leadership must be rooted in humility and service to others.

In a post on Sunday via his official X handle, Obi responded to the viral photos and videos of him serving food at a recent private charity event in Imo state.

He said his humility at the event was not a campaign strategy, adding that it was unfortunate that “something sincere” was twisted by “paid agents” into “something political.”

The former Anambra governor urged Nigerians to shift their mindset from performative charity to a culture of consistent compassion.

“My weekend activity of serving food at a special event has been generating interest, as expectedly, because leaders in our society have removed the service component in leadership,” Obi wrote.

“It’s sounding strange that I was seen serving food to people. 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.”

Obi said he neither posted about the event nor invited the media, adding that content from the event was shared online by third parties outside of his team.

“As expected, the usual naysayers and paid agents went to work trying to twist something sincere into something political,” he added.

‘IT WASN’T ABOUT THE CAMERAS; IT WAS ABOUT CONSCIENCE’

Obi emphasised that the Jubilee of Hope was not a performance, but an act of conscience, where the privileged are reminded of their responsibility to the less fortunate.

“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,” he said.

Obi noted that he was not the only one who served food that day.

He named other prominent Nigerians, including John Onaiyekan, a cardinal and former Catholic archbishop of Abuja, Osita Izunaso, and A.B.C. Orjiako, former chairman of Seplat Plc, as co-participants in the outreach.

“It wasn’t about the cameras; it was about conscience,” he said.

“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,” he wrote.

“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 added that he stayed longer at the event because many of the poor in attendance requested to be served directly by him.

“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,” Obi said.

“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. Public office holders, business leaders, and everyday citizens must unite in lifting others.

“Let us work together to build a country where hope is not seasonal, and dignity is not a privilege, but a right.”