Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State who leaves office on the 17th of this month told senior journalists at the weekend that the philosophy that guides his lifestyle is to own those things that he needs and have use of as against the general life style of most Nigerians who own things they have no need of.
Obi who is noted for his frugality and aversion to wastages said his only wristwatch is 14 years old and he does not have any need to change it or buy another for as long as it is serving him. “I have owned and used one wristwatch for the past 14 years and it is still keeping accurate time for me so I have no reason to change it just because I can afford to. The belt I use is older than two of my children. I have no need to buy another belt for as long as this one is still okay”.
The Anambra State governor is well respected for his zero-waste economics which has made him save substantially for his state as well as execute several infrastructural projects. In a country where governors own or charter jets, Obi does his job using commercial flights, including flying on economy tickets and joining queues to check in rather than the traditional Nigerian public service syndrome of using protocol officers to intimidate other travellers.
And for his fiscal prudence, Political Economist, gathered that President Goodluck Jonathan has penciled Peter Obi for a strategic office in his cabinet as soon as he leaves office as governor. The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, almost let the cat out of the bag when she disclosed that Peter Obi should not think of going far from government. “This administration needs you at the centre. We need you to replicate your leadership style which has made you succeed in Anambra State”, she said.
There were strong indications that President Jonathan would hand over the aviation ministry to the governor to handle. Though, in Nigeria becoming a minister after being a governor is considered a demotion, our source disclosed that Peter obi would be given special status by the president if he agrees to do the job.
Nigerians have variously hailed Peter Obi for his low profile lifestyle, insisting that all public office holders ought to emulate the governor who before joining partisan politics was a multi-millionaire and chairman of a successful Nigerian bank.
“We are very happy with our governor. He behaves like a true Igbo man, he does not move around with siren, he does not throw money around like the typical Nigerian politician. He takes commercial flight even as a governor and above all he has restored sanity in Anambra, a state made ungovernable by some political thugs from the state who pose as role models that they are not”, said Mr Ndeche Azinge, a businessman based in Awka, the state capital.
Former Commonwealth scribe, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was Chairman of the End of Tenure event organised on behalf of the governor at the weekend by the Anambra State Elders’ Council said Peter Obi has demonstrated “cognitive success in government”, adding that Obi’s tenure has brought recognizable transformation to every sector in the state.
