Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has shared his newfound approach to dealing with the frustrations many face in Nigeria, particularly with Nigerian businesses. The former governor of Anambra State revealed this while responding to a complaint about a 9-hour flight delay by Air Peace on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
A user, Olajumoke Alawode-James, expressed her frustration with the flight delay, adding that she refrained from openly criticizing the airline after noticing that Peter Obi was on the same flight. She tweeted, “I was waiting to land in Lagos before I cuss Air Peace for this 9-hour delay. But, @PeterObi is on my flight. Let me respect our leader.”
In response, Obi offered an apology on behalf of Air Peace, explaining that he has learned to stop criticizing Nigerians or being easily angered by challenges within the country. He acknowledged that Nigerian businesses operate in a particularly harsh environment, and this understanding has shaped his perspective.
“These days, I have learned to avoid criticizing or getting easily annoyed with Nigerians and, in particular, Nigerian businesses, given the harsh and difficult environment they have to navigate,” Obi wrote. He added that the current situation in Nigeria requires people to apply caution, patience, and understanding when judging each other’s circumstances, as many are doing their best under challenging conditions.
Obi’s message highlights his belief in empathy and understanding, emphasizing that patience can go a long way in fostering better relationships amid the country’s difficulties.