…”Service Is Not Special – It’s Expected”: Peter Obi on Viral Food Event.
Imo, Nigeria – The iNews Times reports that the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has responded to public commentary following his appearance at a recent charity event in Imo State, where he was captured serving food to underprivileged citizens.
The initiative, titled “Jubilee of Hope,” took place last week and quickly made rounds on social media after footage emerged showing Obi personally handing out food to guests.
The gesture sparked mixed reactions–while some lauded it as an act of humility, others dismissed it as political theatre.
But Obi in a statement posted on Sunday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, clarified his intentions, insisting the event was never about seeking attention.
“Let me be clear, that event was not about me. It was called the Jubilee of Hope, and its purpose is straightforward – to remind us all that true leadership is service, and that those who have must never forget those who do not,” he said.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State explained that the gathering was intended to be a private affair and not a media spectacle.
According to him, images and videos from the event were circulated by third parties without his knowledge.
“As expected, the usual naysayers and paid agents went to work trying to twist something sincere into something political,” he added.
He noted that the Jubilee of Hope was created to reflect the values of “empathy, equity, and responsibility”– a symbolic call for the privileged to connect with the less fortunate through acts of service.
“I was not the only one who served that day. Many well-meaning and distinguished Nigerians also participated, including Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Senator Osita Izunaso, and former Seplat Chairman Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako,” Obi pointed out.
He went on to reaffirm his long-held personal philosophy of humility and simplicity, stating that his lifestyle has always mirrored the values he promotes.
“I do not have a house help. When guests visit my home, I serve them myself. I live simply, I sweep, I clean, because for me, humility is not a campaign strategy; it is a way of life,” he declared.
Obi also revealed that his extended presence at the event was a response to direct requests from several participants who asked to be served by him.
“I could not ignore them. That was the only reason. Otherwise, there was nothing special about what I did. Service is not special – it is expected,” he said.
In a broader message, Obi called on Nigeria’s political and economic class to embrace a new culture of empathy-driven leadership and responsibility.
“We cannot speak of building a New Nigeria while ignoring the hungry, the forgotten, and the poor. Events like this must not remain symbolic, they must become cultural.
Let us work together to build a country where hope is not seasonal, and dignity is not a privilege, but a right. A new Nigeria is possible,” he concluded.
