Peter Obi’s rare record of rejected entitlements shocks Nigerians

DDM News

(DDM) – A fresh debate has emerged over Peter Obi’s political record, as supporters and critics argue about his extraordinary rejection of multiple entitlements.

The renewed conversation follows a viral post questioning whether Obi is a “real human being” because of his unusual choices in Nigerian politics.

DDM gathered that Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, has consistently refused benefits that most politicians in Nigeria eagerly embrace.

According to the viral claims, Obi rejected a ₦700 million monthly pension due to him as a former governor.

He also turned down landed property allocated as part of retirement benefits for governors, insisting that public resources should not be converted into personal wealth.

In 2015, while serving as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Obi reportedly rejected a ₦500 million housing and furniture allowance.

The record further stated that he rejected $1 million in prize money after being recognized as the first governor to achieve the 2020 Millennium Development Goals.

Nigerians who shared the viral post also pointed out that Obi once refused the offer of an oil well, a benefit that has historically fueled political greed and violent competition.

Another controversial entitlement he rejected was the creation of an office for the First Lady in Anambra State.

He argued that his wife was not elected by the people and should not be allocated state resources.

This stance made him one of the few governors in Nigeria who refused to operate a First Lady’s office, a feature common across state governments.

The viral thread also reminded Nigerians that Obi rejected a proposal by lawmakers to share the annual state budget on a percentage basis.

That refusal, according to observers, contributed to his controversial impeachment during his first term as governor in 2006.

Despite being removed at the time, the courts later reinstated him, further strengthening his reputation as a politician willing to confront entrenched interests.

Supporters also highlight that Obi left office in 2014 with over ₦75 billion in cash and investments for Anambra State.

Unlike other governors accused of converting state assets into personal wealth, Obi was praised for maintaining discipline in public finance.

Political analysts believe this record is one of the key reasons many young Nigerians rallied behind him during the 2023 presidential election.

Although he lost to Bola Tinubu in a controversial contest, Obi’s reputation for integrity continues to fuel discussions about leadership and accountability.

Critics, however, argue that many of these claims require stronger verification, as Nigerian politics is often clouded with myths and exaggerations.

Nonetheless, his supporters challenge anyone to disprove just one of the listed rejections, insisting that no other presidential hopeful matches his credentials.

The renewed conversation underscores growing frustration among Nigerians over political corruption and the desperate desire for leaders who place the people above personal gain.

For many young voters, Obi represents a break from the culture of entitlement and greed that has defined Nigerian politics since independence.

Whether or not all the claims are accurate, Obi’s image as a disciplined politician has become part of his enduring political brand.

The debate also highlights the ongoing struggle for transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in Africa’s largest democracy.

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