Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reflected on leadership, governance, and public conduct after completing a three-day tour of the United States that took him to Washington, Chicago, and Atlanta.
Insights from Atlanta
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Obi detailed his trip aboard Delta Airlines, which he described as a symbol of longevity in aviation, having operated for over 100 years.
He highlighted the efficiency of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the world, which processes more than 100 million passengers annually — nearly five times the combined traffic of all Nigerian airports.
Obi noted that the airport is owned by the City of Atlanta and contributes about $32 billion annually to the city’s economy and over $70 billion to the Atlanta metropolitan area and the State of Georgia. He compared this with Nigeria’s national budget, stressing the stark difference in resource management and outcomes.
Meeting with Mayor Andre Dickens
During his stay, Obi met with the Mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens, a former businessman who now manages an annual city budget of about $3 billion. Dickens’ priorities include public safety, crime reduction, youth empowerment, and ensuring a minimum wage of $15 per hour for city workers.
Obi pointed out that the mayor, estimated to be worth about $10 million, demonstrated simplicity and humility during their encounter.
“Yesterday, after meeting Mayor Andre Dickens, we both travelled on the same flight to Washington. At Atlanta airport, on the plane, and upon arrival at Ronald Reagan National Airport, there was no special announcement of his presence, no aides carrying his bags, and no jumping the queue during boarding or disembarkation,” Obi recounted.
A Contrast with Nigeria
The former Anambra governor contrasted this behaviour with what is often seen among Nigerian public officials. According to him, even local government chairmen, whose allocations amount to less than one percent of Atlanta’s budget, move with excessive entourages, sirens, and heavy protocol.
“Our public conduct and behaviour must change,” Obi stated, calling for a cultural shift in how Nigerian leaders approach governance and relate with citizens.
Broader Message
Obi’s reflections form part of his consistent advocacy for modest, transparent, and people-oriented leadership in Nigeria. His U.S. tour, he said, provided another opportunity to highlight the gap between leadership practices abroad and those at home.
