May 23, 2026
By Valentine Obienyem
How did it come about that a wealthy trader-turned-governor, born in Onitsha in 1961, became one of the most influential political catalysts in the history of modern Nigeria? Much like the great disruptors of global history, no one is neutral about Mr. Peter Obi; he is either loved or hated with a passion that has not cooled since he entered the political arena like a meteor and altered the nation’s political orbit.
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To his fiercely loyal followers, he is a political messiah – a symbol of ascetic discipline, fiscal prudence, and the long-awaited rescue of a nation in distress. He is a solid family man, untouched by any scandal of gallantry, intrigue, or liaison common among Nigerian politicians. Because of the nature of Nigerian politics, dictated by a transactional mindset, we have seen him move from one party to another, but he has never allowed his political somersaults to disturb his political equilibrium or the values that have made him beholden to Nigerians.
