Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has explained why he has consistently chosen not to name government projects or public infrastructure after himself. He described the practice as unnecessary, ego-driven, and a distraction from the core purpose of leadership and governance.
Obi made these remarks while responding to the ongoing controversy surrounding the decision of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos to rename the popular Charly Boy Bus Stop to “Olamide Baddo Bus Stop”.
The renaming sparked a heated national debate, with many Nigerians expressing their displeasure over what they described as a disregard for the cultural significance and legacy tied to the original name. Critics also questioned the motivation behind the change, calling it politically or sentimentally driven.
Speaking in a conversation with entertainer and activist Charly Boy, Peter Obi dismissed the importance of such renaming acts in a country struggling with more critical issues like hunger, insecurity, and poverty. He emphasized that symbolic gestures should not distract from addressing the real needs of the people.
“To me it is totally irrelevant when you have millions of people who don’t know where their next meal will come from,” Obi said, expressing frustration over the misplaced priorities of some government entities.
He used the opportunity to shed light on his own leadership style, noting that during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, he consistently refused to have any government projects named after himself. Obi emphasized that public service is not a platform for self-glorification, but rather for impacting lives.
“As governor, I refused to let streets, buildings or anything be named after me. I built a facility in the hospital, and the proprietor wanted to name it after me or my mother, but I declined,” Obi recounted.
The former governor further explained that his refusal to commission projects or add his name to state-funded initiatives has contributed to a common misconception that he achieved little while in office. He clarified that he deliberately stayed away from media spectacles and ribbon-cutting ceremonies to remain focused on real results.
“That’s why people say I didn’t do much. I didn’t even commission anything. Whatever I did was with public money, so I didn’t see the relevance of putting my name on them. Even when I become President, my name is not going to be on any of the facilities. All I want is for the facility to function.” he explained, reiterating his belief that leadership should be service-oriented and not personality-driven.