The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the derogatory remarks made against his followers, stressing that no Nigerian should ever be referred to as “street urchins” or people of no value.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, titled “Humanity is Paramount in My Politics — No Street Urchins,” Obi addressed what he described as an “unfortunate trend” of name-calling targeted at his supporters, who are popularly known as ‘Obidients’.
Obi: My Supporters Are Not Low-Class Nigerians
Reacting to the comments labelling his supporters as low-class individuals, Obi said it was disheartening that in today’s Nigeria, people look down on their fellow citizens in such a demeaning way.
“Lately, I have heard a few people say that those who follow Peter Obi are low-class Nigerians, and some have even gone as far as calling them ‘street urchins’ and people of no value,” he wrote. “It is deeply unfortunate that in today’s Nigeria, citizens now look down on fellow citizens in such a degrading manner.”
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The former Anambra State governor maintained that he had never, and would never, look down on anyone except to help them rise. According to him, politics should be about service to humanity, not class superiority.
“I have never and will never look down on anyone, except to lift them up. After all, we can only rise by lifting others,” Obi added.
Obidient Movement
Politics for Me Is About the Ordinary Nigerian – Obi
Obi explained that his political journey was not driven by the desire to mingle with the high and mighty but rather to stand with the common Nigerians whose voices have been silenced by hardship and bad leadership.
“My involvement in politics has never been about associating with the so-called high and mighty, but about standing with ordinary Nigerians whose voices have been silenced and whose resources have been stolen by the same ‘big names’ who now parade themselves with all sorts of titles and names,” he said.
He insisted that every citizen, regardless of social class, deserves respect, dignity, and opportunity.
“No Nigerian is of no value. No Nigerian is a street urchin,” Obi emphasised. “It speaks volumes about the state of our nation that everyday Nigerians are now battered by poverty and hardship to the point their leaders refer to them as of no value, and urchins.”
A New Nigeria Is Possible
Reaffirming his belief in equity and compassion, Obi urged political leaders to show empathy rather than mock the poor. He said true leadership lies in uplifting the weak and creating opportunities for all.
“Every Nigerian deserves dignity, opportunity, and care. That is why I will continue to do my part to ensure that ordinary Nigerians enjoy a better life — one built on access to education, quality healthcare, and genuine efforts to lift them out of poverty,” he wrote.
“True leadership is not about mocking the weak; it is about lifting them up. A New Nigeria is POssible,” he concluded.
