By Rafiyat Sadiq
With over twelve months to the constitutionally approved campaign period of 150 days before polling day, Nigerian politicians are already intensifying efforts to win public support through various means aimed at building trust and visibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Prominent among them is former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi, whose recent public actions have drawn both praise and criticism.
Obi has adopted a strategy rooted in public empathy and generosity, offering donations to schools and hospitals and showing support to victims of crises in states such as Benue and Niger, where he has consistently used his official X (formerly Twitter) account to demand justice and advocate for people-focused governance.
From personally serving food at a community event in Umuchima, Imo State, to making donations to schools and hospitals, Obi’s high-profile gestures have kept him in the public eye and stirred renewed debate, raising questions of whether his actions are a mark of a compassionate leader or a calculated build-up of a fresh presidential campaign.
Symbolism or Strategy? Public Gestures Under the Microscope
A viral video surfaced early July showing Obi personally serving food to guests at an event in Umuchima Town, Imo State. In the video, widely circulated across social media platforms, the former governor is seen going from table to table carrying a tray of food and offering it to attendees.
Supporters described the gesture as a demonstration of humility and servant leadership, with many pointing to it as evidence of his connection to the grassroots.
However, critics viewed the action as theatrical and politically motivated.
Peter Obi has intensified his philanthropic outreach, donating ₦25 million to Dominican Sisters’ College in Anambra for a boys’ hostel and ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing in Edo, emphasising education and healthcare as key to national development.
While Obi’s philanthropic gestures have been widely praised as acts of service, they have also sparked political tension.
READ ALSO: Security or Suppression? The Growing Conflict Over Peter Obi’s Visit
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, questioned the source of Obi’s donations and linked his recent visit to a resurgence of violence in the state, warning that the former governor must obtain security clearance before entering Edo again.
The governor’s remarks drew widespread condemnation, with former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar stating that any attack on Peter Obi is an attack on all.
Praise, Pushback and Political Jabs
Supporters of the former governor hailed the gesture as a sign of humility, simplicity, and servant leadership, qualities they believe have distinguished Obi from the political elite.
Many described the act as a rare show of connection with the masses, contrasting it with the detachment often associated with high-ranking politicians.
However, critics have dismissed the gesture as stage-managed and opportunistic. Prominent among them is Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide and vocal critic, who accused Obi of political manipulation.
“Peter Obi never donated money to schools or individuals until he wanted to run for office. He also did not start serving food at parties until he needed your votes,” Omokri said in a social media post on Thursday.
Describing Obi as a “skilled actor”, Omokri argued that generosity driven by electoral ambitions is neither genuine nor sustainable. He further referenced the controversial leaked audio from the 2023 elections, alleging that Obi plotted a “religious war” to appeal to Christian voters. “Generosity and humility that come because of elections will also go after the elections,” Omokri added, warning that Nigerians would reject him again in 2027.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As the 2027 general elections gradually draw closer, Peter Obi’s public appearances and philanthropic gestures are certain to attract continued scrutiny.
Whether Nigerians view his actions as genuine service or calculated politics may ultimately determine his chances at the ballot box.
What remains clear, however, is that the battle for public trust has already begun, long before the campaign season formally opens.
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Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.