Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has clarified the context behind his widely circulated photograph with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during their recent visit to the Vatican, Rome. Speaking during an interview with Arise News, Obi dismissed rumors of political alignment, asserting that the occasion was purely a religious event.
“We went for a church service in Rome. I’m not fighting the President,” Obi said, responding to online speculation.
The image, which emerged following the inauguration of Pope Leo in Vatican City, sparked political conversations back in Nigeria. However, Obi made it clear that the visit was not politically motivated but centered on faith and unity.
Speaking in Abuja, shortly after donating ₦20 million to the Saint Andrews Anglican Church in Kubwa Diocese for ongoing education and health projects, Obi emphasized his unwavering commitment to governance that tackles poverty, poor healthcare, and lack of access to quality education.
“My fight is against bad governance, hunger, poverty, and out-of-school children. It is not about political rivalry,” Obi stated.
During the donation ceremony, Bishop Duke Akanmisoko of the Kubwa Diocese praised Obi’s generosity and called on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate his support for education and healthcare.
Obi also declined to address reports suggesting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is considering him as a running mate in the 2027 general election. He redirected attention to more pressing national issues.
“Politics, for me, is not about position. I’m focused on doing the right thing. Right now, it’s about these children and their future,” Obi told reporters.
Education as the Cornerstone of National Development
Reinforcing his belief in education as the foundation of societal progress, Obi called on the Nigerian government to prioritize investments in both public education and healthcare.
“Education is the most critical investment. The more educated a nation is, the more developed it becomes,” he said.
He argued that education, alongside health and poverty alleviation, must receive urgent attention from both government and stakeholders. According to Obi, Nigeria’s low health insurance coverage—less than 10%—is a national crisis.
“Government should support institutions like this school and hospital. The law already says basic education should be free,” he added.
Obi reiterated that corruption is the root cause of poverty in many developing countries, stressing that tackling corruption would free up resources for education, healthcare, and social welfare programs.
“The more corrupt a nation is, the poorer its people are. Corruption stifles development and undermines investment in critical areas,” he warned.
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