THE presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that he would divide Nigeria if elected president, insisting that he possesses the experience, track record and leadership required to unite the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that Obi made the remarks during an exclusive interview on Sunday Politics with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television, where he responded to comments by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, who had questioned his ability to unify Nigeria.
Rejecting the criticism, the former Labour Party presidential candidate said his record over the years demonstrated a consistent commitment to national unity rather than division.
“I will unite Nigeria, and I know what it takes to unite Nigeria,” Obi declared.
The former Anambra State governor argued that his actions over the years, rather than political rhetoric, reflected his commitment to every part of the country.
Obi cited numerous humanitarian visits and interventions across northern Nigeria, saying he had consistently supported communities affected by conflict and natural disasters.
Recalling the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency, Obi said he travelled to Borno State to condole with Ali Modu Sheriff after the killing of the former governor’s 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 recounted visiting 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, similar humanitarian interventions have 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 various affected communities… I’ve spent Christmas and New Year in IDP camps,” he said.
Obi further disclosed that he had funded the construction of boreholes in several northern communities and supported educational and health institutions, including agricultural projects 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 stated.
He added that he had also visited schools, hospitals and communities across the South-West and North-Central regions, insisting that no contemporary Nigerian politician had travelled as extensively across the country 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,” he said.
Addressing concerns over whether Nigeria had moved beyond the divisions created by the Civil War, Obi said his presidency would mark the beginning of national healing and reconciliation.
“A Peter Obi presidency will commence the healing and the unity that is required to stabilise and build a better Nigeria,” he said.
The former governor argued that while Nigeria must acknowledge its history, it should not allow past events to determine its future.
“You cannot be trapped in the process of yesterday. Those who are trapped in the process of yesterday will lose the future.
“We have a history, but we must not be trapped in it. It must not deprive us of tomorrow,” Obi added.
According to him, his goal is to build a country where every Nigerian can thrive regardless of ethnicity or religion.
“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,” he said.
Responding to allegations that he had made divisive remarks against northern Nigerians, Obi dismissed the claims outright.
“That’s a lie. It never happened,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate noted that some of his closest aides and associates over the years had been northerners and Muslims.
“My ADC was from Kano, and he’s a Muslim,” Obi said.
He also revealed that throughout his eight years as governor of Anambra State, all the cooks who served him were from northern Nigeria, while his administration sponsored Muslims in the state on annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
“As governor, I was paying for Muslims living in Anambra to go to Hajj,” he stated.
Obi further disclosed that he currently supports Almajiri schools in Kano and Bauchi, as well as a School of Nursing in Bauchi.
The former governor maintained that national political discourse should focus on addressing Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic challenges rather than engaging in personal attacks.
“Instead of us discussing the problems of the country, people come before you to discuss Peter Obi,” he said.
He stressed that poverty, insecurity, education and healthcare should dominate national conversations and policy debates.
Obi reaffirmed that his vision is to build an inclusive nation where every Nigerian has a sense of belonging.
“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,” he said.