A former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi has opened up about an experience with former president Olusegun Obasanjo in the state during his tenure.
Peter Obi
Peter Obi has revealed how he stopped former President Olusegun Obasanjo from sleeping in the state when the latter, as president, proposed to visit the state during his tenure.
“I told him, ‘Mr president, you can come in the morning and go in the evening because I don’t have a place for you to stay,’” Obi explained.
Sun news reports that the former governor disclosed this yesterday at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) during the 2016 edition of the Biennial Chinua Achebe Memorial Lecture, organised in honour of the late literary icon, by the institution’s Faculty of Arts.
Delivering a lecture on leadership, Obi hinted that his actions were part of his efforts to curb systemic waste and ensure accountability in governance.
He said in order to utilise resources, his administration stopped the maintenance of the Presidential Lodge in the state.
The former governor blamed corruption and rot in the Nigerian system on the irrational celebration of corrupt politicians and their ill-gotten wealth by the masses.
Meanwhile, at the occasion, the senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Chuka Utazi, said the leadership problem bedeviling the country is hinged on the fact that youths, who should be given leadership opportunities are relegated, with only old political “money bags” dominating the political scene.
“There are many youths in this country who can take over the mantle of leadership, but we leave them and look for the money bags,” he regretted.
He, however, said he remains optimistic that things would, someday, change for the better.