“No Family Member Asked for Contracts While I was Governor ” – Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party, Peter Obi, has paid a glowing tribute to his eldest brother, Dominic Ositadimma Obi, on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

Reflecting on his time in public office, Obi revealed the extraordinary standard of integrity maintained by his immediate family, noting that not a single relative attempted to leverage his political position for personal enrichment.

An Exemplary Standard of Principles

Despite Dominic being an active building contractor during Peter Obi’s eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra State, he never once sought political patronage or access.

“When I was Governor of Anambra State for eight years, he never came to my office or the Governor’s Lodge for a day seeking favours, as many might have expected,” Obi recalled. “He is a planner and contractor who builds homes for people, yet not once did he ask me for a government contract.”

Instead of capitalizing on familial ties, the younger Obi said his elder brother prioritized the public accountability to the electorate.

Peter Obi said his counsel was strictly focused on good governance and preserving the family’s reputation. “Whenever we met, he would warmly embrace me and tell me that he was fine,” Obi shared. “He would then solemnly remind me to keep doing what I promised the people and never bring a bad name to the family and my community. He would tell me that whatever difficulties he was going through, many others were worse off, and that I should do my best for society.”

A Collective Family Pact

This disciplined boundary between public duty and family interests was not an isolated case. Obi disclosed that his relatives had deliberately formalised a pact to shield his administration from the nepotism that frequently complicates African governance.

“I later came to understand that this was not peculiar to him alone. My family members had actually held a meeting and resolved that none of them would take advantage of my position as Governor,” Obi explained, adding that this unwavering boundary “extended to my children” as well. “They decided that whatever good name I was building for the Obi family and Agulu must be protected.”

A Continuous Vision for Nigeria

Even at 75, the presidential candidate says Dominic’s focus remains fixed on the broader progress of the nation rather than personal ambition. “Today, at 75, my beloved brother remains deeply concerned about Nigeria. Whenever we speak, he is full of prayers and good wishes. He constantly reminds me that if I have the opportunity to serve Nigeria, I should do so with honesty, integrity, and the interest of the people at heart.”