Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP) has said he is not a saint but has never stolen any money from the coffers of the government.
The former Governor of Anambra State made this known on Saturday during the #PeterObiOnParallelFacts Twitter Space forum organised by The Parallel Facts.
Obi said he left the funds he saved as the Anambra governor and also invested state funds properly, adding that state funds should be used for the public good, not for personal good.
In his words: “I’m not a saint and equally not a thief. Most people would not see the amount of money I saw as Governor and leave it. I saved, invested and utilized State funds properly. Public money should be used for the public good, not for personal good.”
He added that the key to strengthening the Nigerian passport and restoring its global reputation is to have something valuable to offer to the world.
He said: “The respect for the Nigerian passport cannot be earned when a nation is perceived as economically weak and dependent on others. To gain respect as individuals or as a nation, the first step is to put our own house in order by building a strong and stable economy.”
The former Anambra governor also highlighted the importance of having a robust foreign policy, which he believes is directly linked to a strong domestic policy.
He cited examples of international groupings like G7 and G20, formed based on economic strength, and expressed disappointment that Nigeria is not yet a member of such influential forums.
Sharing a personal anecdote, Obi revealed that despite having the opportunity to obtain dual citizenship and residency in other countries, he has chosen to remain solely a Nigerian citizen.
The LP flagbearer stressed that Nigeria’s leaders, including politicians like himself, have collectively failed the country by not building a better society for future generations.
Obi called for change, stating that the Nigerian passport can only become respected globally when the nation achieves progress and development.
He called on everyone to do the right thing and work towards building a better Nigeria, emphasizing that respect is earned through responsible and proper actions.
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‘I’m Not a Saint but I’ve Never Stolen’ – Peter Obi