Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has pushed back against recent characterizations of his supporters as “street urchins” and “low-class Nigerians,” insisting that such labels are both demeaning and untrue.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, Obi said he found it “deeply unfortunate” that certain individuals, particularly those in privileged positions, have resorted to dismissive and classist descriptions of Nigerians who align with his vision for a better country.
“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. It is deeply unfortunate that in today’s Nigeria, citizens now look down on fellow citizens in such a degrading manner,” he wrote.
Obi maintained that his supporters, far from being social outcasts, represent the everyday Nigerians who continue to hope for a country that works. He said his political movement is rooted in values such as empathy, inclusion, and humanity — not elitism or social segregation.
“I have never and will never look down on anyone, except to lift them up. After all, we can only rise by lifting others.
“My involvement in politics has never been about associating with the so-called high and mighty, but about standing with 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 added.
Describing as “morally wrong” any attempt to reduce the worth of Nigerians facing economic hardship, Obi stressed that no citizen should be dismissed or demeaned based on social or economic status.
“No Nigerian is of no value. No Nigerian is a street urchin. It speaks volumes about the state of our nation that everyday Nigerians are now battered by hardship to the point where their leaders refer to them as people of no value and as urchins,” he said.
He reiterated that leadership should be grounded in compassion and service to the people, not in superiority or mockery.
“Every Nigerian deserves dignity, opportunity, and care. That is why I will continue to do my part to ensure that ordinary Nigerians enjoy a better life — one built on access to education, quality healthcare, and genuine efforts to lift them out of poverty. True leadership is not about mocking the weak; it is about lifting them up,” he stated.
Obi’s remarks come on the heels of his call for the Lagos State Government to adopt a more compassionate approach in its demolition exercises, urging officials to balance legality with moral responsibility in their actions.
