Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pushed back against suggestions that he would deepen Nigeria’s divisions if elected president, saying his track record proves he has the capacity to unite the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking during an interview on Sunday Politics on Channels Television with Seun Okinbaloye, Obi responded to remarks by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who questioned his ability to bring Nigerians together. He insisted that his years of engagement across different regions reflected a genuine commitment to national unity rather than political promises.
“I will unite Nigeria, and I know what it takes to unite Nigeria,” the former Labour Party presidential candidate said.
Obi highlighted several humanitarian efforts he has undertaken in northern Nigeria, recalling that he travelled to Borno to sympathise with Sheriff after the former governor lost his brother during the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“At the onset of this Boko Haram issue… his own brother was killed. I travelled to Borno State to console him. When people didn’t want to go there, I went to Borno State.”
He said he later returned to Borno after devastating floods, where he donated ₦50 million, met with the state governor and the Shehu of Borno, and visited internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
The former Anambra governor added that his humanitarian work has taken him to several northern states, including Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi and Sokoto, where he has supported communities affected by insecurity and other challenges.
“I’ve been to the most troubled parts of the North… I’ve been to Benue up to four times, visiting the various affected communities… I’ve spent Christmas and New Year in IDP camps.”
Obi also said he financed the construction of boreholes in different northern communities and supported educational and healthcare projects, including an agricultural initiative at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto.
“I’ve built boreholes in Gombe, in Kaduna, in every part of the North. When the University of Sokoto Agricultural Faculty said all they need is a borehole for their farm, I did it,” Obi said.
According to him, he has equally visited communities, schools and hospitals across the South-West and North-Central, maintaining that few politicians have travelled as extensively across Nigeria by road.
“There’s no politician today in Nigeria… that has been able to travel places that I have been by road… because I want the country to be together, and I understand the people.”
On national cohesion, Obi said his administration would prioritise reconciliation and create an environment where all Nigerians can prosper irrespective of ethnic or religious background.
“A Peter Obi presidency will commence the healing and the unity that is required to stabilise and build a better Nigeria.”
He stressed that while Nigeria must recognise its history, it should not allow past divisions to shape its future.
“You cannot be trapped in the process of yesterday. Those who are trapped in the process of yesterday will lose the future,” he said.
“We have a history, but we must not be trapped in it. It must not deprive us of tomorrow.”
Obi said he envisions a Nigeria where citizens are judged by their identity as Nigerians rather than their ethnic or religious affiliations.
“I want the child of Nigeria to be able to grow up in Nigeria, go to school, and live his life without thinking about his tribe, without thinking about yesterday, without thinking about his religion, but as a Nigerian, proud of it.”
Addressing allegations that he had made divisive comments about northerners, Obi dismissed the claims outright.
“That’s a lie. It never happened.”
He noted that several of his closest associates over the years, including his aide-de-camp, were northerners and Muslims.
“My ADC was from Kano, and he’s a Muslim.”
Obi further disclosed that during his tenure as Anambra governor, all his cooks were from northern Nigeria, while his administration sponsored Muslims in the state for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
“As governor, I was paying for Muslims living in Anambra to go to Hajj.”
He also revealed that he currently supports Almajiri schools in Kano and Bauchi, as well as a School of Nursing in Bauchi.
Calling for a shift in political discourse, Obi urged leaders and citizens to focus on addressing the country’s major challenges instead of engaging in personality-driven debates.
“Instead of us discussing the problems of the country, people come before you to discuss Peter Obi.”
He said tackling poverty, insecurity, education and healthcare should take priority, reiterating that his leadership would be inclusive and dedicated to national unity.
“I will never divide Nigeria. I will unite Nigeria. I will show love to every part of Nigeria and make sure things are done differently, because I’m going to involve everybody.”
