Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has reiterated that effective leadership by example is essential to addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges and societal decay.
The former governor of Anambra State made these remarks while interacting with a diverse audience of Nigerians during a live X Space session held on Sunday, where citizens asked him questions on leadership, governance, and strategies to combat insecurity across the nation.
Obi emphasized that insecurity in Nigeria has worsened over the years, and he stressed the need for leaders who are disciplined, responsible, and accountable in both words and actions. He highlighted that symbolic gestures alone are insufficient and that practical demonstrations of integrity and diligence are necessary to inspire confidence in governance and reform.
During the session, Obi shared a personal anecdote to illustrate his leadership philosophy. He recounted an incident that occurred while traveling on British Airways during his tenure as governor. Upon entering the aircraft, he discovered that one of the toilets was in a deplorable state, left dirty and neglected, causing discomfort for passengers and staff alike.
Obi recalled that a woman who had previously worked with the Lagos State Government under former governor Babatunde Fashola had entered the same restroom, observed the filth, and simply walked away without taking any action. Rather than ignore the situation or delegate the responsibility to others, Obi himself went into the toilet and cleaned it personally, without notifying any official or seeking recognition for the act. This, he explained, reflects his philosophy that leaders must lead from the front and not expect others to do what they themselves should do.
He further explained that when the woman returned and discovered the toilet had been cleaned, she was astonished and later recounted to a minister and colleagues that the work had been done by a sitting governor, underscoring the rarity of such personal accountability in leadership. Obi used this story to emphasize the broader lesson that when confronted with problems or negligence, proactive action is far more meaningful than mere supervision or delegation.
“When you see things that are wrong, clean them,” Obi stated emphatically. He added that he personally does not employ household help to maintain appearances and believes Nigerians should stop maintaining pretenses or living a fake life. He argued that honesty, self-reliance, and practical action are critical traits that leaders must embody to effectively address the country’s challenges.
Obi concluded by linking the anecdote to his preparedness to tackle Nigeria’s pressing economic and security issues, asserting that leaders who exemplify integrity and personal responsibility are better equipped to implement reforms, ensure accountability, and build trust among citizens. He reaffirmed his belief that, if given the opportunity to lead the nation, he would bring this hands-on, example-driven approach to governance, emphasizing both discipline and tangible action as core principles of his leadership style.