Peter Obi Addresses Criticism Over ₦540 Million Donations To South East, Vows Continued Support Across Regions

 

Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has come under public scrutiny following revelations about the regional distribution of his recent philanthropic contributions. Accusations of regional bias surfaced online after data showed that a significant portion of his ₦540 million donations between January and July 2025 went to institutions in the South-East geopolitical zone.

The discussion was ignited by an analytical report from StatisSense, a data and artificial intelligence platform. The report laid out a detailed breakdown of Obi’s charitable efforts, revealing that Anambra and Enugu States received a combined ₦415 million, accounting for over 75 percent of the total amount donated. Anambra State alone received ₦260 million, while Enugu received ₦120 million.

Donations from Obi were recorded across five geopolitical zones, with the South-West notably absent. According to the figures, the North-West and North-Central regions each received ₦60 million, the South-South was allocated ₦35 million, and the North-East received the smallest share at ₦6 million.

Amid a rising online debate over perceived partiality, Obi's former campaign spokesman and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, came forward to address the concerns. Tanko clarified that the donations in question were not driven by political motivations but were rather personal acts of benevolence that predate and extend beyond Obi's political aspirations.

“These donations are not campaign-related. They are not tied to any political office or regional strategy,” Tanko stated during a press briefing. “They are personal contributions by Mr Obi to causes he believes in, and this philanthropic activity is ongoing.”

He emphasized that critics were jumping to conclusions based on incomplete data and urged the public to assess the broader picture. “Today, the bulk of the donations might come from the South-East, but tomorrow, they could be from the North. This is a continuous process,” he explained.

Tanko also took a direct swipe at political opponents and detractors, challenging them to provide evidence of similar generosity from other political leaders. “Let those pointing fingers bring out their own statistics. If there are any former or current candidates who have made donations of this scale from their personal funds, let the public see it,” he declared.

The list of recipients in the South-East includes a number of educational and health institutions, among them Paul University in Awka which received ₦30 million, the College of Nursing Sciences in Amichi with ₦10 million, and IHM Health System in Anambra which was given ₦100 million. Christ the King College, Onitsha, another key beneficiary, received ₦50 million.

Outside the South-East, Obi’s donations reached Joseph D. Bagobiri Memorial College in Kafanchan (₦20 million), Kubwa Anglican Comprehensive Secondary School and Hospital in Abuja (₦20 million), and the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Calabar (₦20 million). These contributions, according to Tanko, reflect Obi's broader commitment to education and healthcare across Nigeria, regardless of region.

Many supporters argue that Obi’s philanthropic legacy should not be politicized. They recall his time as governor of Anambra, when he was known for prudent spending and investment in education and health infrastructure. Critics, however, suggest that such concentration of funds in his home region may fuel ethnic sentiment or appear to reward his political base.

Despite the criticism, Obi appears undeterred. Tanko insisted that the former governor remains focused on making a difference through personal giving, rather than using philanthropy as a tool for political gain. He reiterated that the initiative would continue, with future donations likely to reflect a more diverse regional spread.

“We are just getting started. Nobody should think this is a one-time event. Obi will keep supporting communities where help is needed,” Tanko assured.

As conversations around transparency and accountability in political leadership continue, Obi’s case presents a new angle: personal philanthropy by public figures being subjected to public scrutiny. Whether it will inspire others to reveal their charitable records remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, Obi has thrown down the gauntlet.