LAGOS/ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi was captured on video sprinting out of an airport terminal in a bid to make it to a scheduled media interview, drawing widespread attention and praise for his energy at age 65.
The short clip, which circulated rapidly on social media platforms on Friday, September 25, 2026, shows Obi, dressed in a jacket, moving briskly and then breaking into a run as he exits the airport building. The footage appears to capture the politician navigating a tight schedule after what his team described as a long and demanding day.
Sharing the moment, one of Obi’s media aides offered a light-hearted commentary that quickly became part of the online conversation. The aide noted that young people sometimes cannot afford to slow down “because right behind you is a 65-year-old man still running.” The aide also pointed out a tear in Obi’s jacket, jokingly referring to it as one of the “perks of the job.”
The video has elicited largely positive reactions from supporters, who hailed Obi’s punctuality, work ethic, and physical fitness. Commenters contrasted the scene with stereotypes of “African time,” noting that the former governor appeared determined not to keep interviewers waiting. “His sense of timing and punctuality is on point,” one viewer wrote. Others described him as setting a standard for younger politicians.
Some posts framed the incident as Obi rushing to catch a flight after nearly being late for an interview, while others described him sprinting to join or complete an interview engagement. In either interpretation, the images reinforce the public image Obi has cultivated of a hands-on, no-frills politician who travels frequently and maintains a rigorous schedule.
Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party banner and is now the NDC’s flagbearer for 2027, is known for his frequent media appearances and grassroots engagements across Nigeria and abroad. He has repeatedly emphasized discipline, punctuality, and personal example as essential qualities for public leadership.
The airport moment arrives amid an active political season, with Obi continuing consultations, interviews, and travels as the 2027 general elections draw nearer. Supporters have used the video to underscore his vitality and commitment, while the light-hearted tone of his aide’s remarks helped keep the online discussion mostly good-natured.
No official statement from Obi himself addressing the specific clip had been issued at the time of reporting. The video, however, has added another memorable visual to the former governor’s public profile — one that shows a 65-year-old presidential contender still willing to break into a run when the schedule demands it.
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