Peter Obi – Personal Life, Political Career, Awards, Etc.

This post is about Nigeria’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Highlights:

• Native of Onitsha, Anambra, Nigeria, and born on July 19, 1961
• Governor of Anambra State from June 14, 2007, to March 17, 2014
• Presidential candidate for Nigeria’s 2023 elections (Labour Party)
• Husband to Margaret Brownson Obi since 1992 and a father of 2​
• Graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Read on as we discuss several things you’d like to know about Peter Obi, the Nigerian politician we all thought would win Nigeria’s presidential 2023 election.

Who is Peter Obi?

Peter Gregory Obi (CON), born on July 19, 1961, is a Nigerian politician under the umbrella of Labour Party (LP). Other things you may be unaware of about Peter Obi is that he is also a businessman and has served in the banking industry. Besides, he just joined the Labour Party in 2022, as he was formerly affiliated with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (2002 to 2014) and the People’s Democratic Party (2014 to 2022).

He is an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also attended Christ the King College, Onitsha.

Personal life (Early/recent)

As you’d know, Peter Obi is happily married. But to who? Margaret Brownson Obi (née Usen), and they’ve been married since 1992. They are proud parents of 2 children: Gabriella Nwamaka Frances Obi (daughter) and Gregory Peter Oseloka Obi (son). Both are not yet making rounds on the internet.

Career – How He Started?

After earning his first degree from UNN in 1964, Peter Obi started a career in banking and business. He held a number of high positions in several banks, including the Guardian Express Bank Plc, until he eventually delved into politics.

In the 2003 Gubernatorial elections of Anambra state, he contested as an All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate. His opponent, Chris Ngige, a candidate for the PDP, however, won the election. His tenure didn’t last as supposed due to the Court of Appeal’s rulings upon charges by Peter Obi.

On March 17, 2006, he took over the office from Ngige, but his tenure barely lasted seven months, as the Anambra State House of Assembly impeached him on November 2, 2006. The following day, his deputy, Virginia Etiaba, assumed his office, making her the first female to become a governor in Nigeria.

Peter Obi appealed against his impeachment and was successful with his claims.

On February 9, 2007, he was reinstated to office until May 29, 2007, when Andy Uba took over after the General Elections. Surprisingly, the Supreme Court allowed Peter Obi to return to office till his first term ended on June 14, 2007.

His second term lasted from February 7, 2010, to March 17, 2014. This time, he defeated Charles Soludo, who was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from May 29, 2004, to May 29, 2009.

In 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan made Peter Obi the chairman of the Nigerian Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). This appointment came after the General Elections.

In the 2019 presidential election, he emerged as the running mate of Atiku Abubakar but lost the election to the second term of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

On March 24, 2022, he declared his initial interest in participating in the Nigeria presidential election as a PDP candidate. Shortly after, he changed party to Labour Party, which led to the Obidient movement. He lost the election to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Awards and Recognitions

Here is a list of some of his awards and honours:

• Most Prudent Governor in Nigeria – This Day’s (2009)
• Governor of the Decade – This Day (2020)
• Golden Jubilee Award – Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha (2015)
• Best Performing Governor on Immunization in South-East Nigeria – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (2012)
• Man of the Year – Silverbird (2013)
• Man of the Year – Leadership Excellence Award (2022)
• Man of the Year – The Sun’s (2007)
• Distinguished Alumnus Award – Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA) (2014)

What’s Trending About Peter Obi?

On April 1, 2023, a voice call recording was trending countrywide, which was said to be a conversation between Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo.

The leaked conversation had Peter Obi telling the Bishop that the Nigerian 2023 presidential election was a religious conflict and that he needed help to connect with Christians across the Southwestern states and in the North Central part of Nigeria, including in Kwara, Kogi, and Niger.

Peter Obi refuted the controversy, claiming that it was fake, with a threat to sue Peoples Gazette, the online media that published the news.