Veteran journalist and former Political Editor of THISDAY Newspapers, Ike Abonyi has revisited an encounter between Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka at the Adoration Ministry in Enugu.
Appearing on Arise News from 11:10, Abonyi described Obi as a man deeply rooted in his Catholic faith and guided by personal conviction rather than populist theatrics. He recalled that during a visit to Father Mbaka’s Adoration ground, the cleric encouraged Obi to declare a monetary pledge before the large crowd.
“Peter Obi is a Catholic, an ardent Catholic. He went to Adoration ground of Father Mbaka and Mbaka wanted him to pronounce amount with the crowd who would have clapped for him and they will praise him,” Abonyi narrated.
But Obi chose a different path. Rejecting the idea of making a public show of generosity, Obi reportedly said: “Look, I don’t mention money, show me the project and I will do for you.”
Abonyi argued that the episode demonstrated Obi’s characteristic prudence, especially in financial dealings. He noted that rather than seeking applause through public pledges, Obi’s focus was always on delivering measurable impact.
“The incident spoke volumes about Obi’s philosophy that leadership should be about solving problems and executing projects, not displaying wealth to win claps,” Abonyi explained.
The account, which echoes Obi’s broader reputation for frugality and accountability, adds to the narrative that has defined his political journey. For many Nigerians, Abonyi said, such principles set Obi apart as a politician more interested in results than optics.
