Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has expressed deep concern over the growing hardship faced by Nigerians, particularly low-income earners. He specifically criticized the exorbitant charges imposed by Point of Sale (POS) operators, which he says are making life even harder for petty traders and small business owners.
Speaking during a visit to Paul University in Awka, Obi lamented the struggles of ordinary Nigerians trying to access their own money. “The hardship in Nigeria is too much,” he said. “How can the ordinary people survive? A woman selling pepper by the roadside has to pay huge charges just to withdraw her own money. How much is her profit margin, and how much will remain after paying these charges?”
Obi described the situation as unsustainable and promised to take action. “No country is run like this,” he stated firmly. “I will write officially to the president about this issue and outline all these concerns.”
During his visit, Obi also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting education in Nigeria. He donated ₦30 million to Paul University, a faith-based institution owned by the Anglican Church. This brings his total donations to the university in 2024 to ₦50 million, with promises of additional support in 2025.
Speaking about his motivation for giving, Obi said, “I have seen the good work being done here and the contribution of faith-based organizations like the Anglican Church toward building a better society. I will continue to support you.”
Archbishop Alexander Ibezim, who received Obi at the university, praised him for his selfless contributions and genuine love for humanity. “Peter Obi is one man who aspires for leadership not for personal gain but to help people,” Ibezim said. “We need more leaders like him who are committed to peace and development.”
Obi’s donation is part of his broader humanitarian efforts. Independent monitors revealed that he spent over ₦1.5 billion on charitable causes in 2024 alone. However, Obi downplayed these figures, emphasizing that his acts of giving are not about self-promotion but a genuine concern for humanity.Obi’s actions and calls for reform highlight his focus on alleviating hardship and supporting critical sectors like education. His pledge to write to President Tinubu on POS charges reflects his determination to address pressing issues affecting everyday Nigerians.
