Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has revealed that he deliberately avoided commissioning projects or naming public facilities after himself during his time in office, describing such actions as unnecessary and self-serving.
In a recent statement, Obi shared his thoughts while reacting to the recent controversy surrounding the renaming of the popular Charly Boy Bus Stop in Lagos to “Olamide Baddo Bus Stop” by the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The move sparked widespread criticism across the country, with many Nigerians calling for a reversal of what they described as a disrespectful erasure of cultural memory.
Addressing the uproar during a conversation with entertainer and activist Charly Boy, Obi dismissed the significance of renaming bus stops or facilities, especially in the face of pressing national challenges.
“To me it is totally irrelevant when you have millions of people who don’t know where their next meal will come from,” he said.
Obi used the moment to highlight his values during public service, stating that he refused to attach his name or image to state-funded projects while serving as governor.
“As governor, I refused to let streets, buildings or anything be named after me. I built a facility in the hospital, and the proprietor wanted to name it after me or my mother, but I declined,” he said.
The former governor said his refusal to commission projects or seek publicity is the reason many believe he did less than he did while in office.
“That’s why people say I didn’t do much. I didn’t even commission anything. Whatever I did was with public money, so I didn’t see the relevance of putting my name on them. Even when I become President, my name is not going to be on any of the facilities. All I want is for the facility to function.” he explained.