*Says Threats Are A Waste of Time, Urges Governors To Invest in People
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has vowed to return to Edo State despite threats issued by the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, warning that his safety would not be guaranteed.
Obi, while addressing journalists in Awka, dismissed the governor’s comments, insisting that no amount of intimidation would stop him from carrying out acts of philanthropy anywhere in Nigeria.
Speaking during a visit to his alma mater, Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, where he made a N50 million donation to support infrastructure development, Obi said he receives threats regularly across the country but has never allowed fear to dictate his actions.
“Threats don’t make any meaning to me. I receive threats everyday. Do you know how many times I have been threatened all over Nigeria? I receive threats everyday actually, the ones you know about was because it was vocal, but I will not be afraid,” Obi declared.
He emphasized that his recent visit to Benin City was purely humanitarian, geared towards supporting the healthcare sector through donations to mission hospitals, and not politically motivated as insinuated.
“If I have the opportunity to go to Benin and make donations again, trust me, I will,” he insisted.
Obi challenged Governor Okpebholo to focus on governance and people-centered development rather than issuing political threats.
“What the governor should have done is to complement what I was doing in his state instead of threatening me. He should be sincerely grateful,” Obi said
Reiterating his commitment to using his personal resources and influence to support schools and public welfare, Obi said his donations were part of a larger mission to uplift the standard of education and healthcare across the country.
“I have always said that we should de-emphasize politics and think more of how to invest in the people,” he stated.
Continuing, Obi disclosed his itinerary, indicating that his commitment to education and service was unshaken.
“I’m in school today to make a donation, I’m going to be in school somewhere in Nigeria tomorrow too. I’m going to be in school on Saturday, I’m going to be in school on Sunday and even on Monday. Forget about the threat, it’s a waste of time,” he said.
Obi revealed that the N50 million donation to CKC was a collective effort by him and some fellow old boys of the college, aimed at addressing critical infrastructure gaps in the school.
“I just spoke to one or two old boys of this school that we don’t have teachers quarters, we don’t have staff quarters and administrative blocks and they decided to donate. That is what people should be doing,” Obi said.
He urged wealthy Nigerians with legitimate sources of income to channel their resources into productive and socially impactful ventures.
“I say it everyday that those who have verifiable honest means of livelihood should endeavour to invest to schools, invest in society, invest in health, lift people from poverty and empower others. I did not say go and steal money and donate to schools,” he concluded.
