Photo: Peter Obi
By: Mandy Park
The media office of former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that his growing political popularity is merely an internet-driven phenomenon, insisting that the movement around him is rooted in his record in public office and private sector management.
In a statement issued on Monday by the spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Ibrahim Umar, the office said critics who describe the “Obidient” movement as a temporary social media trend were ignoring what it described as Obi’s “verifiable achievements” in governance and fiscal management.
According to the statement, Obi’s popularity among Nigerian youths and online supporters stems from his track record of prudence, transparency and development-oriented governance rather than online propaganda.
The media office noted that before venturing into politics, Obi had built a reputation in corporate governance, particularly in banking and investment management, stressing that he became one of the youngest chairmen of Fidelity Bank Plc and served in executive capacities across several financial and logistics firms.
It argued that Obi’s advocacy for reduced cost of governance and fiscal discipline reflects principles he applied both in business and during his tenure as governor of Anambra State between 2006 and 2014.
The statement further highlighted what it described as key achievements recorded under Obi’s administration through the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS), which aligned development goals with the Millennium Development Goals framework.
Among the achievements cited were the alleged accumulation of assets worth about N75 billion and approximately $500 million in cash and investments left for his successor at the end of his tenure.
The media office also credited Obi with reforms in the education sector, including the return of schools to missionary ownership and direct support for educational institutions, policies it said contributed to Anambra emerging as one of the leading states in WAEC and NECO performance rankings during his administration.
On infrastructure and security, the statement claimed that Obi’s administration constructed more than 650 kilometres of roads across urban and rural communities while also supporting local vigilante groups to combat crime, particularly in commercial hubs such as Onitsha.
The POMR spokesman further maintained that Obi’s reputation for public integrity remained intact, noting that the former governor had not faced corruption allegations or investigations related to public fund misappropriation after leaving office.
According to the statement, the “Go and Verify” slogan associated with Obi’s supporters gained traction because many of his claims and policy records could allegedly be independently confirmed through public financial records and governance assessments.
The media office said the continued support for Obi, especially among young Nigerians, reflected growing public demand for accountability, transparency and people-centred governance amid prevailing economic challenges in the country.
Obi, who emerged as one of the leading opposition figures after the 2023 presidential election, has continued to attract nationwide attention through his criticism of government spending, rising debt levels and worsening economic hardship.
His supporters, popularly known as the “Obidients,” remain active both online and offline ahead of the evolving political alignments toward the 2027 general election.
