The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, says he lives a modest life and does not employ domestic staff to clean his house.
Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the remarks in a statement posted via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, while responding to public commentary generated by his recent appearance at a charity event in Imo State.
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“I live simply. I sweep, I clean, because for me, humility is not a campaign strategy; it is a way of life,” Peter Obi wrote. “Even now, in private life, I do not have a house help. When guests visit my home, I serve them myself.”
The former governor was reacting to social media debates triggered by photos and videos showing him serving food to poor and vulnerable citizens during the Jubilee of Hope, a private outreach held recently in Imo State.
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According to Peter Obi, the event, which he described as a non-political gathering focused on service to the poor, was not publicised by his team. He said third parties shared the materials online, attracting both praise and criticism.
He explained that the initiative was designed to promote a culture of service among the wealthy and powerful.
“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,” he said.
Mr Obi said several other notable Nigerians also participated in the exercise, including Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Senator Osita Izunaso, and the former Chairman of Seplat, A.B.C. Orjiako.
He said he stayed longer at the event only because many of the poor attendees requested that he serve them personally. “I could not ignore them,” he said. “Otherwise, there was nothing special about what I did. Service is not special, it is expected.”
Peter Obi’s remarks are consistent with past claims about his frugal lifestyle. During the 2023 presidential campaign, he claimed that despite his financial status, he owns only one wristwatch and one pair of shoes. He also said he flies economy class as a deliberate act of modesty and fiscal discipline.
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The former governor has often argued that leadership in Nigeria should be rooted in service, empathy and accountability.
“We cannot speak of building a New Nigeria while ignoring the hungry, the forgotten, and the poor,” he said in Sunday’s statement.
He called for a new national ethos where acts of compassion are not exceptional but part of everyday governance and citizenship.
“A New Nigeria is Possible,” he said.
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