Obidients Are Not ‘Street Urchins’ — Peter Obi Replies Kenneth Okonkwo

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed comments made by Kenneth Okonkwo, a former chieftain of the party, describing his supporters known as Obidients  as “street urchins.”

Obi, in a statement on Wednesday, said his brand of politics is about identifying with ordinary Nigerians and not the privileged elite, stressing that every Nigerian deserves dignity and respect regardless of social class.

He described Okonkwo’s remarks as “deeply unfortunate,” adding that it reflects a worrying elitist mindset that looks down on the struggles of common citizens.

“Humanity is paramount in my politics. No street urchins. Lately, I have heard a few people say that those who follow Peter Obi are low-class Nigerians, and some have even gone as far as calling them ‘street urchins’ and people of no value,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor emphasized that his political movement is driven by empathy, inclusion, and justice, not elitism.
“I have never and will never look down on anyone, except to lift them up. After all, we can only rise by lifting others,” he stated.

According to Obi, his mission in politics has always been to stand with the poor and marginalized Nigerians whose voices have been silenced and whose resources have been mismanaged by the ruling class.

“My involvement in politics has never been about associating with the so-called high and mighty, but about standing with the ordinary Nigerians whose voices have been silenced and whose resources have been stolen by the same ‘big names’ who now parade themselves with all sorts of titles,” he said.

He further stressed that no Nigerian should ever be regarded as “of no value,” adding that the growing hardship in the country should not be used as a basis to insult citizens.

“No Nigerian is a street urchin. It speaks volumes about the state of our nation that everyday Nigerians are now battered by poverty and hardship to the point their leaders refer to them as people of no value,” Obi stated.

Reaffirming his commitment to the Obidient Movement, Obi noted that leadership is about lifting people up, not mocking them.
“Every Nigerian deserves dignity, opportunity, and care. True leadership is not about mocking the weak; it is about lifting them up,” he concluded.