Darkness. Not the moonlit nights of the savannah, but the thick, deathly kind that covers the tropics in fear and mystery. In that troubling gloom, something always seems to lurk—something unseen yet threatening. And though the night hums with a thousand chirps and buzzes, the mosquito, unseen in daylight but notorious for its nocturnal reign, is almost always blamed for every sting, every itch, every restless night.
There’s a reason for this: it is difficult to exonerate what is already infamous. This is why, for some of us, it is also difficult to exonerate Mr Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, who was recently spotted at a public function serving food to guests.
The photo, unsurprisingly, went viral. Admirers celebrated his humility. But for the rest of us—the sceptics—it triggered a different emotion: suspicion.
We ask: What was Mr Obi trying so hard to prove? This question is not baseless. It is not driven by bias but by historical precedence. We have seen many politicians stage scenes to curry public favour—flipping roasted corn with roadside vendors, cradling babies for photo optics, eating in bukas, or visiting orphanages with a carefully arranged media entourage in tow.
These acts, almost ritualistic during election seasons, often disappear the moment power is secured. Once in office, such leaders vanish into high-walled compounds, armoured and tinted SUVs, their gestures of “humility” abandoned and their promises conveniently forgotten.
The timing of Obi’s act is particularly suspicious. Though 2027 may appear distant, the early tremors of a new political era are already being felt. Coalitions are forming, alignments and realignments are underway, and media footprints are expanding. Politicians are already courting attention, fine-tuning their images, and planting seeds in the minds of the electorate.
Against this backdrop, a picture of Peter Obi—tray in hand, smiling as he serves food—must be examined for what it could be: a calculated performance.
In fairness, Mr Obi has attended numerous public functions in recent years, but this is perhaps the first time he has been caught in this sort of performative posture (at least since 2023). If humility and servant leadership are part of his brand, why now? Why this imagery? Is it truly who he is, or is it a political script aimed at stirring nostalgia and admiration? Yes, I know that he has been donating in cash and kind but….
One commenter on social media raised a crucial question: If Peter Obi were president, would he still be serving food at events? The likelihood is slim. Power changes people—or at least, reveals who they truly are.
Let me be clear: we are all entitled to our preferences, perceptions, and political leanings. And yes, symbolic acts have a place. But for me, I do not want a president who sees humility only through the lens of theatrics. I do not want a leader whose empathy is measured in how often he eats roasted plantain by the roadside. Such gestures, while appealing to the emotions, have rarely translated into meaningful change for the Nigerian people. Symbolism without substance is hollow.
We need a president who will concretise empathy into actionable policies—leaders who will translate compassion into healthcare, infrastructure, education, and jobs. We need someone who will face the real problems of the nation—not with cameras flashing—but with sleeves rolled up and eyes on long-term reforms. We need a president who is less about optics and more about outcomes.
Moreover, the double standard in public reactions is striking. If this were another politician—say Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi or even Nasir El-Rufai—performing this same food-sharing stunt, social media would be ablaze with mockery and outrage. But because it is Peter Obi, the man who enjoys a cult-like following among segments of the youth and middle class down south, the narrative is flipped.
One supporter even cited the Bible, saying, “After all, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.” That’s a stretch. Let’s not drag divinity into what could very well be political theatre.
Rather than serve food at events, Mr Obi should concentrate on serving an inspiring manifesto different from what the current government is doing. He should have been a more vociferous opposition, supporting governance through presenting policy alternatives for the government. After all, Prof Pat Utomi constituted a shadow government.
And even if he must serve that meal for whatever intent or purpose outside political gimmicks, he should have done so by calling the attention of those charged with that responsibility to do the job they are paid for. Otherwise, it shows that he lacks the will to delegate, a very important attribute that all leaders, especially in a democracy, must possess.
This is not about Peter Obi as a man. It’s about what kind of leadership we want—and what kinds of acts we are too quick to celebrate. Nigerians must move beyond emotional reactions to political gimmicks. We must ask harder questions and hold all our leaders to the same standards. Because if we continue to mistake performance for principle, we will keep recycling the same disappointment in different disguises.
