Obi’s N650m donations spark political firestorm

Obi’s N650m donations spark political firestorm

‎Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi

‎A file copy of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi

‎A fresh political storm is brewing against former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, following revelations that he has donated over N650m to educational and humanitarian causes across 11 states since the beginning of the year.

‎The donations, which the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate disclosed in separate updates on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, cut across Anambra, Ebonyi, Cross River, Enugu, Kaduna, Edo, Borno, Abuja, Abia, Plateau, and Imo states.

‎According to him, the gestures reflect his commitment to human capital development and social welfare.

‎“We must continue to support our health and educational institutions and poverty alleviation if we are to build a strong and sustainable nation for our future leaders,” Obi wrote in a post.

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‎However, the National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the All Progressives Congress, Ijeomah Arodiogbu, described the acts as “politically desperate.”

‎In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Arodiogbu claimed Obi’s outreach was not borne out of genuine compassion, stating that it was part of a calculated move to regain relevance ahead of the 2027 polls.

‎“Peter Obi has not stopped showing his level of desperation and our people are aware of that. Our people know that he’s just being desperate.

‎“When did it become Obi’s habit to share money? That’s his inconsistency of character. We’re not bothered,” he said.

‎Arodiogbu also accused Obi of failing to support young people in his community, describing him as a “stingy man” pretending to care.

‎The APC Vice Chair said, “In our communities, when a master finishes with an apprentice, he settles him to start his own business. Obi is the kind of master who doesn’t settle his boys. Nobody wants to identify with such a man.

‎“Anybody that cannot build with the people around him, and is only considering himself, can never be a good leader. Whatever he’s doing now is a cheap one, a very cheap one.”

‎However, in a swift response, the Obedient Movement blasted Arodiogbu, describing his comments as misleading and politically motivated.

‎Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, movement’s National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, said Obi had always been committed to humanitarian causes, even before venturing into politics

‎“Obi has been doing humanitarian activities even before he became a governor. He went and supported Haiti when there was a devastating earthquake. That’s even outside the country,” Tanko stated.

‎He insisted that Obi’s outreach efforts were not a product of desperation but an extension of his values and longstanding commitment to people-focused initiatives.

“This is his natural self. He’s not doing them because of politics. He has been doing that for the interest of the people,” he added.

‎Tanko further asked Arodiogbu and the APC to focus on nation-building by complimenting Obi’s humanitarian moves instead of attacking them.

‎“The truth about it is that, why is he concerned about Peter Obi? He should be concerned about the presidency.

‎“Let them be concerned about what they are doing to the people. If they are doing good, they should be saying it.”

‎Tanko added that the movement was not out to fight anyone but to hold the government accountable, particularly on public spending and rising debt.

‎“We are only dealing with the issues. We’ve made the public notice about their spending and their borrowing. Therefore, any attempt or any attack, we welcome it in good stride. Let them bring us an alternative solution to what they are doing, or what we are doing,” he said.

‎Also weighing in, Obi’s ally and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ameh, strongly condemned efforts to politicise the donations.

‎“It is both unfortunate and disappointing that the APC National Vice Chairman South-East would attempt to politicise the genuine humanitarian efforts of Obi.

‎“These efforts, rooted in empathy, vision, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of Nigerians and beyond, have been a hallmark of his character long before and far beyond election seasons,” Ameh said.

‎He added that Obi’s history of philanthropy, spanning decades and continents, reflected a deep-seated dedication to uplifting humanity, not a quest for political gain.

‎He also recalled that Obi had engaged in refugee work in war-torn regions like Afghanistan and Rwanda before becoming governor of Anambra State in 2006, describing it as a consistent pattern of humanitarian service

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‎Contact: the editor@punchngs.com

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