By David-Chyddy Eleke
The question above was posed by a social media user today after pictures of Mr Peter Obi started circulating on the Internet, when he attended the burial of demised Pope Francis in Rome today.
The poster wondered how Peter Obi could be pictured in Rome on Wednesday, when just yesterday (Tuesday) he was seen in Anambra attending the wedding ceremony of Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo’s son to the daughter of Chief Ernest Obiejesi Azudialo, popularly known as Obijackson in Okija. What many do not know was that he also visited Ogbaru, where he donated a cheque to a nursing school owned by Anglican Communion, Ogbaru Diocese before jetting off to Rome.
I won’t blame the guy who posed that question, I have often wondered so myself. But beyond that, I have often wondered what gives him energy.
On one occasion, I was invited as a journalist by his media Adviser, Mr Valentine Obienyem for an event in Onitsha where Obi was to donate a cheque to an institution. We converged on a certain location in Awka and moved to the venue. All along, Obienyem was in contact with him from the time he arrived the airport in Abuja to take off. We arrived at the venue, and in a short while, Obi appeared before us.
The cheque presentation was a brief ceremony, and we moved around a little, and later in the day, we moved back to Awka. I was surprised when I tuned to my television the next morning and behold, Obi was pictured as having spoken in London at a conference the night before.
I think Peter Obi is a mystery, and what he represents is what Nigeria earnestly needs. Let us try a man with his energy.
The day I decided that Obi was a spirit was last year.
I had attended a two days conference in Abuja. On the morning I was preparing to return to Anambra, I got a call from Val Obienyem informing me he would like me to accompany Peter Obi to an event where he wants to make a donation. I told him I was in Abuja, but my flight was for 11:45am to Anambra. He asked me if it was Air Peace and I said yes, he said Obi will be travelling in same flight.
“I will arrange for you to join his convoy from Umueri airport, so that we will all meet at the venue,” he said.
I was quite happy because the Chinua Achebe Airport is one airport where you have to cough out the biggest money to get to town. It is unlike a few airport where poor guys like me will just trek out and catch public transport. I once paid paid 30k from Umueri airport to Awka, and I’m sure I didn’t sleep well that day.
Back to Peter Obi – while I was at Abuja airport, Peter Obi arrived at the departure lounge. He sat at the VIP, and once in a while, I stole a glance his way to be sure he was still around, while hunched on my phone.
Sadly, the flight was rescheduled for about 2pm or so, and was later moved to 4pm. I reached Val to tell him of our frustration, but he said no problem.
At some point, I looked towards where Peter Obi sat, and he had vanished. I felt he had gotten frustrated and decided not to travel any longer. But at 4pm when we finally boarded, I was just checking my phone when I saw a picture of Peter Obi already in Anambra, presenting a cheque to an institution.
To say I was shocked was an understatement. I reached some of my colleagues who I saw in the picture to ask if Peter Obi was truly in Anambra and they affirmed.
That was the day I doffed my hat for both Peter Obi and whoever handles his travel itinerary.
That the same Peter Obi who was in Anambra on Tuesday evening appeared in Rome on Wednesday afternoon looking unruffled, and in the midst of world citizens, without expending too much efforts needs special attention.
Whatever magic it is Obi does to continue to be in more than one location at slightly separate times is what Nigeria needs at this critical period.
*Journalist Ekele is a public affairs analyst
