This is a complete biography of Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate in the 2023 Election in Nigeria. This article provides readers with detailed profile of Peter Obi's full name, net worth, careers, public and private life, Family background and Education; it also highlight some of the awards and recognition of Peter Obi
Who is Peter Obi?
Mr. Peter Obi fondly called ‘Okwute’ (Rock) is a Nigerian politician and business Mogul, a former Anambra State governor to be impeached as the governor of the state in 2006 but the impeachment was overturned in 2007.
The name "Peter Obi" has travelled far to be regarded as a trade mark in every politic settings in Nigeria. Called by his full name, Peter Gregory Obi, he was born at Onitsha in Anambra, a state located in the south-eastern region of Nigeria, West Africa.
State of origin of Peter Obi:
Peter Obi hails from Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra state. Peter Obi is a core Igbo Man.
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Photo: Peter Gregory Obi | credit: Getty Images
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Peter Obi's Parents And Siblings:
No much record is available about his parents, but Peter Obi is the second born of the family, with two brothers and two sisters as siblings. They are:
- Bibiana Adani (elder sister)
- Fabian Chinwuba Obi
- Josephat Ndibe Obi
- Martina Obi.
Bibiana Adani, his elder sister is late. She reportedly died from an undisclosed ailment and was buried at her husband’s place in 2018 at Adani Village, Ukana in Enugu state.
Fabian Obi, Peter’s younger brother, according to some sources is an ordained Reverend Father. On October 2020, he was appointed as the acting rector of the Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary in Onitsha.
Ndibe Obi, his other younger brother is reportedly managing one of Peter Obi’s companies.
Age of Peter Obi:
Peter Obi age- Peter was born on the 19th of July, 1961. He is currently 61 years old as at July, 2022.
As regards zodiac sign, people born on July 19th are known as cancer representatives. According to Astrology Zodiac Sign, they are always born with a talent.
Some of the positive traits of this people includes: Dreamy, idealistic, missionaries with a higher cause. They also believe in the goodness in others and carry talents that are to be shared with the world.
Complexion of Peter Obi:
Peter Obi is fair in complexion.
Education:
Peter Obi attended Christ the King College, Onitsha where obtained his West Africa Secondary School Certificate (WASC). He later gained admission into University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1980 and bagged Bachelor of Art (BA) in Philosophy in 1984.
He later attended Lagos business school, Nigeria where he did his Chief Executive Program. He also attended Harvard business school, Boston, USA, where he did two programs (Mid to Mid Marketing).
Other Schools He Attended And Positions Held so far:
· Lagos Business School, Nigeria (Chief Executive Program)
· London School of Economics (Financial Mgmt/Business Policy)
· Columbia Business School, New York, U.S.A. (Marketing Mgmt )
· Institute for Management Development, Switzerland (Senior Executive Program)
· Institute for Management Development, Switzerland (Break-Through Program for CEOs)
· Kellogg Graduate School of Management, U.S.A. (Advanced Executive Program)
· Kellogg School of Management U.S.A. (Global Advanced Mgmt Program)
. Oxford University: Said Business School, (Advanced Mgmt& Leadership Program)
. Cambridge University: George Business School (Advanced Leadership Program)
His Career before politics:
As noted earlier, Peter Obi is a businessman. He started his life as a trader, a path which is not surprising since he was born into a trading family.
He later ventured into the corporate world and has served in numerous positions for different companies.
Previous Positions Held:
· Governor, Anambra State of Nigeria (2006-2014)
· Honorary Special Adviser to the President on Finance (till May 2015)
· Member, Presidential Economic Management Team (till May 2015)
· Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (2008-2014)
· Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum (2006-2014)
. Former Chairman: Board of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
· Former Chairman: Fidelity Bank Plc.
· Former Chairman: Guardian Express Mortgage Bank, Ltd.
· Former Chairman: Future Views Securities, Ltd.
· Former Chairman: Paymaster Nigeria Plc.
· Former Chairman: Next International (Nigeria) Ltd
· Former Director: Guardian Express Bank Plc.
· Former Director: Chams Nigeria Plc.
· Former Director: Emerging Capital Ltd
· Former Director: Card Centre Plc.
Peter Obi Political journey
Obi political career came into limelight when he contested for governorship of Anambra state as the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) political party in 2003.
He drags Ngige and INEC to court. His opponent, Chris Ngige of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Ngige is the Labour Minister under Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Peter challenged Ngige’s victory in court and was later declared the actual winner by the Court of Appeal on 15 March 2006.
Resumed office; impeached 7 months later. He resumed office on 17 March 2006. On 2 November 2006 (after seven months in office), he was impeached by the State House of Assembly and was replaced by his deputy, Virginia Etiaba, making her the first-ever female governor in Nigeria’s history.
Obi returned to court and challenged the impeachment and was reinstated on the 9th of February 2007 by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu.
Peter Obi officially dumps APGA on October 7, 2014 to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
After winning the 2015 Presidetial Election , Goodluck Jonathan appointed Peter Obi as the chairman of the Nigerian Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Peter Obi was, in 2018, named the presidential running mate of Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party on October 12, 2018.
Presidential Ambition And Aspirantion:
Peter Obi, on March 24, 2022, declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
But, on 25 May, Peter Obi announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and also withdraw from contesting the party’s presidential primary election, which makes
Atiku Abubakar becomes the PDP Presidential candidate.
Obi moves to Labour Party:
Two days later, (May 27, 2022), he announced he is a member of Labour Party (LP) and would be aspiring for the presidency on the party’s platform.
On 30th of May, Peter Obi emerged the presidential candidate of LP after other candidates like Pat Utomi stepped down for him.
Appointments while he was governor of Anambra state. Member of:
Federal Government Committee on Minimum Wage
Federal Government Committee on Negotiation with Labour on Subsidy
Federal Government Committee on Mass Transit
Federal Government Committee on Natural Resource
National Economic Council Committee on Power Sector Reform
National Economic Council Committee on Sharing of MDGs Funds
National Economic Council Committee on Accurate Data on Nigeria’s Oil Import and Export
Agricultural Transformation Implementation Council
Sub-Committee on Needs Analysis of Public Universities in Nigeria National Economic Council Review Committee on the Power Sector
Peter Obi’s Wife:
Peter Obi got married to Margaret Brownson Usen in 1992. Their marriage is blessed with two children – one boy and one girl.
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Peter Obi and His Wife- Margaret
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The marriage was rumoured was about to hit the rocks in 2017. Though, Margaret debunked the rumour while describing it as height wickedness.
Meanwhile, Obi has tried as much as possible to keep his private life off the public eyes.
Names Of Peter Obi children:
Peter Obi’s children are Gregory Peter Oseloka Obi (male; younger) and Gabriella Nwamaka Frances Obi female; elder).
Peter Obi’s daughter marriage: His daughter, Nwamaka, is married to a Chicago-raised businessman, Chukwuma Okeke-Ojiudu. The wedding was held in April 2022.
Peter Obi’s son, Gregory is a Philosphy graduate Frome Bristol University, England.
He claimed his children “have never participated in any public life” and that his son “that is going to be 29/30 soon…doesn’t own a car because he has to buy his own car, not me”.
However, there are reports that his son Gregory “drives a 2017 BMW X6 worth approximately N60million in the UK and he has been driving same since February 2018″.
Peter Obi Political Thought- Obidient | What Party is Peter Obi
Peter Obi is currently a member of the Labour Party and the Presidential candidate of the Party, alongside his running mate - Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
Who are the Obidients?
Followers of Peter Obi are called the Obidients. According to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, he said the Obidients are in every home. Practically, followers of Peter Obi, who are mostly Youths believed that he has the potential and capacity to drive and advance Nigeria is given the chance to the President in the
2023 general election
Source of wealth of Peter Obi:
During the Pandora Paper saga, Peter Obi in an Arise TV programme said; “I was the sole engineer of South African Breweries. I was also bringing in Ovaltine.
“The company I was with before, I left it for my brother who took over and paid me off. That company became the Next Cash and Carry which you see in Port Harcourt and Abuja.
“I was sitting in the board of three banks and was the chairman of one before I became a governor.”
Peter Obi's Top Awards:
Champion Newspaper’s Nigeria’s Most Trustworthy Governor (2009)
Sun Newspaper’s Man of the Year (2007)
Thisday Newspaper’s Most Prudent Governor in Nigeria (2009)
This Day’s Governor of the Decade (2020)
West Africa ICT Development Award for Governor of the Year (2010)
Zik Leadership Prize (2011)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Best Performing Governor on Immunization in South-East Nigeria (2012)
Ezeife Leadership Foundation’s Leadership and Good Governance Award (2012)
Methodist Church of Nigeria’s Golden Award on Prudence (2012); Business Hallmark Newspaper’s Man of the Year (2012)
Silverbird’s Man of the Year (2013)
The Voice Newspaper’s Award for Outstanding Example in Leadership and Governance (2014)
Champion Newspaper’s Most Outstanding Igbo Man of the Decade (2014)
Nigerian Library Association’s Golden Merit Award (2014)
Catholic Diocese of Onitsha’s Golden Jubilee Award (2015)
Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester Pope and Martyr (2014)
Achievements:
He was the first gubernatorial candidate in Nigeria to legally challenge to its logical conclusion, his governorship electoral victory that was denied him. He won in the Courts and reclaimed his mandate.
He was the first Governor in Nigeria to legally challenge his wrongful impeachment and was reinstated by the Courts.
He was the first Governor in Nigeria to seek the interpretation of tenures of Governors when INEC allowed elections to take place in Anambra State when his tenure had not expired; the election already concluded was cancelled and he was allowed to complete his tenure.
Many Nigerians did ask what are his achievements as governor of Anambra State. Checkout his Fundamental achievements:
1. For the first time in the history of Anambra State, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of notable countries such as United States, Britain, Russia, European Union, South Africa, Israel, Canada, the Netherlands, among others, visited the State.
Before his tenure, Anambra was practically a pariah state blacklisted by the Diplomatic Corps and international development partners.
2. Anambra was the first State to commence Sub-Sovereign Wealth savings, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. At a time many other Governors were leaving huge debts, I left the equivalent of $500 million Dollars in investment as well as local and foreign currency, including $156 million in Dollar-denominated bonds.
3. Development partners such as UNDP, UNICEF, the World Bank, DFID, the European Union etc., which hitherto were not in Anambra State started working with the State. Anambra was consistently adjudged one of the best states in development partnership and commitment to reforms for good governance.
4. He was recognised as Best Governor by the Millennium Development Goals Office (OSSAP-MDGs) and the UNDP in the implementation of their programmes in Nigeria.
5. The Nigerian Debt Management Office (DMO) rated Anambra as the least indebted state in Nigeria. In spite of visible and measurable achievements recorded in various sectors, the State under him did not borrow or raise bonds for her various projects.
6. The State’s ground-breaking return of schools to their original owners – Voluntary Agencies (Churches) on 1st January 2009, and subsequent partnership with the Agencies in Education, saw the State move from 24th position out of 36 States to Number One in National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations for three consecutive years. This made the World Bank to commission a study, led by the renowned Prof. Paul Collier of Oxford University, on this revolutionary partnership and phenomenal achievement.
7. The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria rated Anambra State as the most financially stable state in the country. Among many other achievements.
Peter Obi’s contact:
Peter Obi’s phone number is not publicly available but he can be reached any day via any of his social media accounts below:
Twitter: @PeterObi
Facebook: @PeterObiGregory
Read Also: Biography of Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed
Activeness:
Peter Obi is still very strong and active, he has been attending various conferences and marketing his ideas to Nigerians and the World at large.
