Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has spoken strongly against the derogatory remarks labelling his supporters as “street urchins” and “low-class Nigerians,” stressing that such comments are a reflection of societal disdain towards hardworking citizens.
Obi, who expressed his displeasure in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, said his brand of politics has always been founded on empathy, inclusion, and respect for the dignity of every Nigerian, regardless of status or class.
The 64-year-old businessman and former governor of Anambra State emphasised that his leadership philosophy has never been rooted in elitism or segregation but rather in the belief that everyone deserves equal respect and opportunity.
He stated, “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.”
According to Obi, such derogatory language reflects not only insensitivity but also the widening social divide caused by years of poor governance and inequality.
Obi said, “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.”
He added that no Nigerian should ever be considered worthless, especially those struggling daily to survive amid the current economic hardship.
“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 lamented.
Reaffirming his commitment to policies centered on education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, the Labour Party stalwart said that leadership should always be defined by compassion and moral conscience, not by ridicule.
“Every Nigerian deserves dignity, opportunity, and care. That is why I will continue to do my part to ensure that the 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,” he declared.
Okay News reports that Obi’s message comes shortly after he urged the Lagos State Government to temper the enforcement of building demolitions with compassion, stating that being “legally correct” does not equate to being “morally right.”
