ONITSHA: Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has denounced derogatory remarks labeling his supporters as street urchins and low-class Nigerians, stressing that every citizen deserves dignity and respect.
Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, expressing disappointment over what he described as the growing tendency among some Nigerians to demean others based on social or economic status.
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. It is deeply unfortunate that in today’s Nigeria, citizens now look down on fellow citizens in such a degrading manner,
The 64-year-old businessman and former governor of Anambra State said his brand of politics is built on empathy, inclusion, and respect for human dignity, not elitism or class segregation.
I have never and will never look down on anyone, except to lift them up. After all, we can only rise by lifting others.
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 titles, he added.
Obi described as wrong and shameful any attempt to demean struggling Nigerians who continue to endure the brunt of economic hardship. According to him, no citizen is worthless or deserving of such insults.
No Nigerian is of no value. No Nigerian is a street urchin. It speaks volumes about the state of our nation when everyday Nigerians, battered by poverty and hardship, are now dismissed by their leaders as being of no value,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to policies that prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, stating that true leadership is measured by compassion, not mockery.
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.
True leadership is not about mocking the weak; it is about lifting them up,” Obi stated.
The remarks come a day after Obi urged the Lagos State Government to show compassion in its ongoing demolition exercise, warning that being legally correct is not a substitute for being morally right.
