Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has narrated how he once cleaned a dirty aircraft toilet while serving as governor, using the experience to highlight his leadership philosophy and views on accountability.
Obi shared the story on Sunday while responding to questions from Nigerians during an interactive session on X Space. He said Nigeria’s worsening security situation requires leaders who are disciplined, responsible, and willing to take personal responsibility rather than live what he described as a “fake life.”
While answering a question on how he would address the country’s security and governance challenges, Obi recounted a personal experience from a flight on British Airways during his tenure as governor.
According to him, the aircraft’s toilet had been badly messed up, prompting a fellow passenger—who worked with the Lagos State Government under former Governor Babatunde Fashola—to open the toilet, observe its condition, and walk away without using it.
Obi said that instead of ignoring the situation or calling attention to his status as a governor, he chose to clean the toilet himself quietly.
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“There was somebody who works for the Lagos State Government, under Fashola’s government. She works with a law firm,” Obi said. “We were coming back on British Airways years back; I was a serving governor. The entire toilet was messed up. She opened it to use it, saw how bad it was, and walked away.”
He explained that after the woman left, he went into the toilet and cleaned it thoroughly without informing anyone. When the woman later returned and saw the toilet in a clean condition, she was shocked.
“I went in there, and when she came back, the entire place was clean,” Obi said. “She didn’t even tell me directly, but she told a minister and some other people in her office. She said, ‘I can’t believe this.’”
Obi said he later received calls about the incident and confirmed that he was the one who cleaned the toilet, explaining that he did so out of responsibility rather than for recognition.
“I told them I cleaned it because I might be the next person to use it,” he added.
The former governor said the incident reflects his belief that leaders must take responsibility when they see things that are wrong, rather than passing blame or seeking special treatment.
“When you see things that are wrong, clean them,” Obi said. “I don’t have house help in my house; everybody knows that. Let us stop all this fake life.”
Obi further stated that his approach to leadership is rooted in personal discipline and accountability, qualities he believes are urgently needed to address Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
He maintained that if given the opportunity to lead the country, he is better prepared to confront the nation’s challenges through responsible governance, prudent management of resources, and a hands-on leadership style.
The interactive session drew participation from Nigerians across different sectors, with many asking questions on governance, security, and economic reform, as Obi continues to position himself as a proponent of modest leadership and systemic change.
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