The Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, has rejected claims that his presidency would worsen Nigeria’s divisions, saying his record shows he can unite the country.
Obi spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics while responding to former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who questioned his ability to promote national unity.
He said his years of engagement across Nigeria showed his commitment to bringing the country together.
“I will unite Nigeria, and I know what it takes to unite Nigeria,” he said.
Obi cited his humanitarian work and visits to troubled areas as proof. He recalled travelling to Borno during the early Boko Haram insurgency to console Sheriff after his brother was killed.
“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 also recalled visiting Borno after severe flooding, donating ₦50 million, meeting the governor and Shehu of Borno, and visiting IDP camps.
Obi said his humanitarian work had also taken him to 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.
He said he funded boreholes and supported schools, healthcare institutions and agricultural projects in northern communities.
“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.
He said travelling widely, especially by road, helped him understand Nigerians’ needs.
“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.
Obi said his administration would focus on healing divisions and building unity.
“A Peter Obi presidency will commence the healing and the unity that is required to stabilise and build a better Nigeria.”
He urged Nigerians not to remain trapped by past grievances.
“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, he said.
Obi said Nigerians should be judged by character and contribution, not tribe 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, Obi said.
On claims that he once made divisive comments about northerners, Obi said, “That’s a lie. It never happened.”
He cited his close ties with people from the North.
“My ADC was from Kano, and he’s a Muslim”, he said.
Obi said all his cooks as Anambra governor were northerners and that he sponsored Muslims in the state for Hajj.
“As governor, I was paying for Muslims living in Anambra to go to Hajj,” he said.
He added that he supports Almajiri schools in Kano and Bauchi and a School of Nursing in Bauchi.
Obi urged Nigerians to focus on poverty, insecurity, education and healthcare instead of political attacks.
“Instead of us discussing the problems of the country, people come before you to discuss Peter Obi,” he said.
He again promised to carry every part of Nigeria along.
“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.”
