How I Once Cleaned a Dirty Aircraft Toilet as Governor — Obi

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, says Nigeria’s security challenges can only be addressed through leadership by example.

Obi made the remarks on Sunday while responding to questions from Nigerians during an interactive X Space session. He said the country’s worsening security situation demands leaders who demonstrate discipline, responsibility and accountability.

While explaining his approach to leadership, Obi shared a personal experience from his time as governor of Anambra State.

He said that during a British Airways flight, he encountered an aircraft toilet that was badly messed up. According to Obi, a woman who worked with the Lagos State Government during Babatunde Fashola’s administration opened the toilet, saw its condition and walked away.

Obi said he went into the toilet and cleaned it himself without informing anyone.

“She opened the toilet to use it, saw how dirty it was and walked away. I went in and cleaned it,” he said.

He added that the woman later told a minister and colleagues about the incident, expressing disbelief that a serving governor would take such action.

Obi said he cleaned the toilet because he might have been the next person to use it, stressing that leadership requires taking responsibility when things go wrong.

“When you see things that are wrong, clean them,” Obi said. “I don’t have house help in my house. Let us stop living a fake life.”

He added that he is better prepared to address Nigeria’s economic and security challenges if given the opportunity to lead the country.