The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi on Thursday announced that he met with the president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (a.k.a Jokowi).
In a couple of posts made on X, Obi said his meeting with Widodo is part of his travelogue to Indonesia – Jakarta to Solo – as he has long admired the president’s transformative mindset.
Giving a brief insight on the life and successes of Widodo, the former governor of Anambra said Indonesia’s number one man gained widespread achievements in two critical areas of development – health and education.
He also stated that Widodo’s Presidency brought significant and visible transformation across all key sectors of measure of development, health, education, poverty alleviation, rural development, infrastructure, and the fight against corruption.
He said that when President Widodo took office in 2014, Indonesia’s GDP stood at $890 billion, with a per capita income of $3,476, and its Human Development Index (HDI) was at a medium level.
By the time he left office in 2024, Indonesia’s GDP had grown to approximately $1.4 trillion—an increase of about 60%—with a similar percentage rise in per capita income, which is now around $5,000.
He added that the country’s HDI also improved from medium to high.
In stark contrast, between 2014 and 2024, Nigeria had experienced a huge decline, with both GDP and per capita income falling to less than 50% of their 2014 levels.
He further stated that during their meeting, he threw important questions at Widodo.
Obi said, “When we finally met, after a warm reception and introductions, I asked him, “What is the most driving purpose—the most important reason—for your involvement in politics and governance?” He responded, “The people, especially the poor and vulnerable.”
“I then asked, “What was the most important thing you focused on when you had the opportunity to serve?” He answered, “Their social welfare, health, education, and lifting people out of poverty,” the former Anambra governor said.
He added that the Indonesia president emphasized that for a leader to be successful, he has to always think about the people and the things that would benefit them.
Obi stated, “His last words to me were: “Always think about the people and always do what will benefit them. I wish Nigeria well, and I look forward to more collaboration between Nigeria and Indonesia.”
