‘I Know What It Takes to Unite Nigeria’ — Peter Obi

• The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that he would divide Nigeria if elected president.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has rejected claims that he would divide Nigeria if elected president, insisting that his leadership and track record prove he has what it takes to unite the country.

Speaking during an interview on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, Obi responded to remarks by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who questioned his ability to unify Nigeria.

Dismissing the criticism, the former Anambra State governor declared that his record over the years reflects a deep commitment to national unity.

“I will unite Nigeria, and I know what it takes to unite Nigeria,” Obi said.

Obi argued that his actions, rather than political statements, demonstrate his commitment to every region of the country.

He recalled travelling to Borno State during the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency to console Ali Modu Sheriff after the killing of his brother.

“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.

The former governor also 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.

According to Obi, he has carried out similar humanitarian visits and interventions across several northern states, including Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto and Benue.

“I’ve been to the most troubled parts of the North… I’ve been to Benue up to four times… I’ve spent Christmas and New Year in IDP camps,” he stated.

Obi further revealed that he funded boreholes in several northern communities and supported educational and agricultural projects, including facilities 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,” he said.

He maintained that no contemporary Nigerian politician has travelled across the country by road as extensively as he has.

“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,” Obi added.

Speaking on national unity, the former Labour Party presidential candidate said his administration would begin a process of healing divisions across the country.

“A Peter Obi presidency will commence the healing and the unity that is required to stabilise and build a better Nigeria,” he said.

He urged Nigerians not to remain trapped by the country’s historical divisions.

“We have a history, but we must not be trapped in it. It must not deprive us of tomorrow,” Obi stated.

Responding to allegations that he had made divisive comments against northern Nigerians, Obi described the claims as false.

“That’s a lie. It never happened,” he said.

He noted that his closest aides had included northerners and Muslims, revealing that his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) was from Kano and that all the cooks who served him during his eight years as governor of Anambra State were from northern Nigeria.

Obi also disclosed that he sponsored Muslims in Anambra State on annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and 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 to focus on Nigeria’s major challenges, including poverty, insecurity, education and healthcare, instead of engaging in personal attacks.

Reaffirming his commitment to national unity, he concluded:

“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.”