The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed suggestions that his emergence as president would deepen Nigeria’s divisions, insisting that his record demonstrates his commitment to national unity.
Obi made the remarks during an appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television while responding to comments by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, who questioned his ability to unite the country.
The former Anambra State governor said his years of engagement across Nigeria reflected a consistent commitment to fostering national cohesion.
“I will unite Nigeria, and I know what it takes to unite Nigeria,” Obi said.
He argued that his humanitarian interventions and visits to different parts of the country spoke louder than political accusations.
Recalling the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency, Obi said he travelled to Borno State to condole with Sheriff after the former governor lost his brother to the violence.
“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.
Obi also recalled returning 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.
He said similar humanitarian efforts had taken him to several northern states, including Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi and Sokoto.
“I’ve been to the most troubled parts of the North. I’ve been to Benue up to four times, visiting the affected communities. I’ve spent Christmas and New Year in IDP camps,” he said.
The former governor added that he had funded borehole projects in several northern communities and supported educational and healthcare institutions, including agricultural initiatives at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto.
“I’ve built boreholes in Gombe, Kaduna and other parts of the North. When the University of Sokoto’s Faculty of Agriculture said all they needed was a borehole for their farm, I provided it,” Obi said.
He also said he had travelled extensively across the country, particularly by road, to better understand the challenges facing Nigerians.
“There’s no politician today in Nigeria who has travelled by road to the places I have, because I want this country to stay together and I understand the people,” he said.
Obi said that if elected president, his administration would prioritise reconciliation and national unity.
“A Peter Obi presidency will commence the healing and unity required to stabilise and build a better Nigeria,” he said.
He urged Nigerians not to allow historical grievances to shape the country’s future.
“We have a history, but we must not be trapped by it. Those who remain trapped in yesterday will lose tomorrow,” he said.
According to Obi, his vision is for a country where citizens are judged by their character and contributions rather than ethnicity or religion.
“I want every Nigerian child to grow up, go to school and live without thinking about tribe, religion or yesterday, but simply as a proud Nigerian,” he said.
Responding to allegations that he had previously made divisive remarks about northern Nigerians, Obi dismissed the claims as false.
“That’s a lie. It never happened,” he said.
To support his position, he cited his longstanding relationships with people from northern Nigeria, noting that his aide-de-camp while serving as governor of Anambra State was a Muslim from Kano.
He also said all the cooks attached to him as governor were northerners and disclosed that his administration sponsored Muslims in Anambra State to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
“As governor, I paid for Muslims living in Anambra to go on Hajj,” he said.
Obi added that he currently supports Almajiri schools in Kano and Bauchi, as well as a School of Nursing in Bauchi State.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate called for greater attention to Nigeria’s pressing challenges, saying public discourse should focus on addressing poverty, insecurity, education and healthcare rather than attacking political opponents.
“Instead of discussing the country’s problems, people come on television to discuss Peter Obi,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to national unity, Obi said every part of the country would have a sense of belonging under his leadership.
“I will never divide Nigeria. I will unite Nigeria. I will show love to every part of the country and ensure that everyone is carried along because I am going to involve everybody,” he said.
