By Valentine Obienyem
Following the knock-out blows that trailed the Governor of Edo State over his conduct and statements – widely condemned as unbecoming of a leader – one can only imagine that Barr. Nyesom Wike placed a consolatory call to him as one of his kind. Presumably, he urged him to remain cheerful and to ignore the voices of Nigerians expressing justified outrage. What other explanation is there for Wike’s theatrical visit to Benin, where he openly encouraged the Governor to dismiss the widespread criticism and behave as though public opinion were of no consequence?
In defending the indefensible, Wike reached for a curious anecdote. He claimed that Peter Obi had informed him before visiting Rivers State during his tenure as Governor, omitting the crucial detail that the visit was in the context of an election campaign, when such courtesy is routine.
Not stopping there, Wike reverted to his trademark style of mockery, aiming once again at Mr. Peter Obi. With sarcasm, he suggested that if elected, Obi would abandon professed readiness to fly commercial airlines and that he would no longer engage in symbolic acts like serving food – acts Wike dismissed as mere political posturing. He sneered: “Did Obi ever serve food as Governor?”
Let us, therefore, correct the narrative. As Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi did serve food during state banquets and official events – not as a stunt, but as a reflection of his deeply held belief in servant leadership. The photographic evidence of this regular practice is attached. More than that, he was a familiar figure in boarding school dining halls, where he would often eat with students, using those opportunities to engage them and understand their reality first-hand.
Naturally, such gestures may seem bizarre – even laughable – to those who equate governance with grandeur and detachment. But to Peter Obi, leadership is about proximity, humility, and human connection. It is not a show to be staged, but a responsibility to be lived – quietly and consistently.
We can only hope that Dr. Reuben Abati listened to his ‘friend,’ who continues to exhibit a pattern of childish infantilism. Perhaps Dr. Abati – the man who possesses the antidote to Wike’s excesses – might consider offering him a lollipop to soothe his tantrums.
Meanwhile, I have attached two photographs of Mr. Peter Obi personally serving food during his tenure as governor. These are not isolated instances. Indeed, many Nigerians can testify to having been served directly by him – acts that reflected his humility, accessibility, and commitment to shared leadership, rather than the aloofness often associated with high office.
