Peter Obi rejects ‘street urchins’ label for his supporters, stressing dignity and respect for all Nigerians

Peter Obi has strongly rejected recent disparaging remarks branding his supporters as “street urchins,” insisting that his politics centres on uplifting ordinary Nigerians rather than pandering to the privileged elite.

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The former Labour Party presidential candidate responded on Wednesday to criticisms from Kenneth Okonkwo, a former party chieftain, who in a viral video accused Obi of attracting “classless street urchins” and failing to control his followers’ alleged spread of falsehoods.

“These are the kind of problems that Peter Obi has, attracting classless street urchins… all those rabies-infested dogs, they are ill-bred, very ill-mannered, ill-tempered street urchins,” Okonkwo said.

Obi called the comments “deeply unfortunate,” lamenting that in today’s Nigeria some citizens still demean others in such degrading terms.

“Humanity is paramount in my politics. No street urchins,” he said. “I have heard people say those who follow me are low-class Nigerians, and some have even called them ‘street urchins’ and people of no value.”

Emphasising respect for every Nigerian regardless of background, the former Anambra governor declared: “I have never and will never look down on anyone, except to lift them up. After all, we can only rise by lifting others.”

Obi said his political journey has been about standing with ordinary Nigerians whose voices are often ignored and whose resources have been plundered by the wealthy elite who parade titles and privilege.

He argued that such elitist attitudes mirror the broader state of the nation, where hardship and inequality leave many vulnerable to scorn from those in power.

“No Nigerian is of no value. No Nigerian is a street urchin,” Obi stated. “It speaks volumes about the state of our nation that everyday Nigerians are battered by poverty and hardship to the point their leaders refer to them as of no value and urchins.”

Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive leadership, Obi said genuine leadership is about uplifting the weak and ensuring access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for all.