Peter Obi was widely regarded as straightforward and tough in terms of leadership. This time, the now ex-governor of Anambra State who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections has shifted attention to Nigeria’s richest, looking them in the eye to reflect.
Obi did not mince his words on the video by Symfoni TV, where he claimed to see a lot of greed in the lives of Nigeria’s elite. Asked, “Why do people who have too much already continue in the greedy hunt for wealth?” he said, “Why will anybody at our stage be looking for money again? What is he going to use it to do? Is it to buy a new house or a new car? Are you going to marry a new wife?”
For Obi, it is also deeper than that: the ever-growing divide of rich and poor. He spoke very emotionally about a conversation lately with his brother, showing disbelief with endless money since all fundamental needs have been satisfied long ago. According to him, “Greed must have a limit.”
Obi’s message is not about frowning on success but rather creating a conscience. He believes such masses, and even rich people, owe it to the society to contribute rather to it in ways that inform real national progress and not just charity. Coming from a man known for his lifestyle of frugality and commitment to fairness, the message strikes a different chord. The message carries neither political rhetoric nor threadbare challenge of lived experience.
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