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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed claims by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, that he would divide Nigeria if elected president, insisting that his leadership record proves he has what it takes to unite the country.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on Sunday Politics aired on Channels Television, where he rejected the criticism and maintained that his years of public service reflected a commitment to national unity rather than division.
“I will unite Nigeria, and I know what it takes to unite Nigeria,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor pointed to his humanitarian interventions across northern Nigeria, recalling that he travelled to Borno State 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.
Obi also highlighted his visits to internally displaced persons’ camps and communities affected by conflict and natural disasters in states including Borno, Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Bauchi and Sokoto.
He said he had funded boreholes, supported educational and healthcare institutions, and contributed to agricultural projects in different parts of northern Nigeria.
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“I’ve been to the most troubled parts of the North… I’ve spent Christmas and New Year in IDP camps. I’ve built boreholes in Gombe, Kaduna and every part of the North,” he stated.
Obi argued that his presidency would promote reconciliation and national cohesion, urging Nigerians not to remain trapped by the country’s historical divisions.
“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 also denied allegations that he had made divisive comments against northern Nigerians, describing the claims as false. He noted that several of his closest aides during his tenure as governor of Anambra State were northerners and Muslims, adding that his administration sponsored Muslims in the state on annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
“That’s a lie. It never happened. My ADC was from Kano, and he’s a Muslim. As governor, I was paying for Muslims living in Anambra to go to Hajj,” Obi said.
He called on political leaders to focus on tackling poverty, insecurity, education and healthcare instead of engaging in personal attacks, reiterating his commitment to building an inclusive Nigeria.
“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 added.
