Peter Obi has recounted how he responded to a major erosion incident during his tenure as Anambra State governor, saying the experience reinforced his belief that leaders must be available during emergencies.
Speaking during an interview on With Chude, Obi said he received a phone call around 2 a.m. reporting that a house had collapsed into an erosion gully in Umuchiana, Ekwulobia. He said he immediately drove from Awka to the affected community to assess the situation and coordinate the government’s response.
“I had an erosion incident in a place called Umuchiana in Ekwulobia. By 2 a.m., my phone rang, and they told me there was erosion and that a house had collapsed into it. I left my place in Awka and drove to the site by 2 a.m. From there, I called President Obasanjo and said, ‘I’m in a village called Umuchiana. An erosion incident has just taken place here.’ He answered me at 2 a.m.,” Obi said.
Obi said he contacted former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the scene to seek federal support, describing Obasanjo’s response as an example of accessible leadership. He added that public officials should respond promptly whenever citizens face emergencies, regardless of the time of day.
