The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has said that every Nigerian deserves dignity and equal opportunity, regardless of their social or economic background.
The former Anambra State governor made this known in a statement posted on his X page on Wednesday while responding to “remarks” describing his supporters as “street urchins” and “people of no value.”
Obi expressed disappointment that some Nigerians now demean others simply because of political differences.
“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 said.
“It is deeply unfortunate that in today’s Nigeria, citizens now look down on fellow citizens in such a degrading manner.
“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 the 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.
“No Nigerian is of no value. No Nigerian is a street urchin. 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.”
Obi emphasized that genuine leadership should be centered on creating access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities that enable citizens to rise above poverty.
“True leadership is not about mocking the weak, it is about lifting them up,” he added.