It’s Not About Politics” – Peter Obi Speaks After Meeting With Tinubu

Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has addressed speculations about a possible rift between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating clearly that he harbours no personal animosity toward the president.

Speaking at a public engagement on Monday shortly after returning from Rome, Obi clarified that his advocacy is directed not at individuals but at the critical issues affecting millions of Nigerians.

“I and the president are not fighting. I’m not fighting anybody,” Obi said. “My fight is against bad governance, against hunger, against poverty, against out-of-school children, against people not having health services.”

The former Anambra State governor expressed deep concern about the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, lamenting that less than 10 percent of the population is covered by health insurance.

“This country has less than 10 percent health insurance. It should be 100 percent,” he asserted.

Obi also emphasized the importance of education, calling on the government to fulfill its obligations under the Universal Basic Education policy by ensuring that all children have access to free schooling and that teachers are properly compensated.

“These teachers teaching here should be paid by government because it’s universal basic education. The law says our children should go to school free. So what my Lord is doing is helping government. Government should help him,” he added.

Drawing on his legacy as a governor, Obi noted that his leadership was always focused on improving public welfare and tackling the root causes of societal issues.

“That’s what I did in Anambra State. I’m in coalition against hunger, in coalition against poverty, in coalition for good health. For me, it’s not about position. It’s about doing the right thing.”

Responding to whether his recent interaction with President Tinubu was politically motivated, Obi maintained that his focus was on children’s education, not partisan politics.

“Whatever you make of it, I can tell you, I, Peter, have told you where I stand. I just came back this morning. I didn’t go talk about politics. I’m talking about the education of these children,” he stated.

He concluded by calling for a national shift in priorities, urging leaders and citizens alike to focus on the pressing needs of the country rather than political distractions.

“In this country, we talk about politics and abandon what we should be talking about. What we should be talking about is how we’re going to educate these children,” Obi said.

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