Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has dismissed allegations that he harbours resentment toward Northern Nigerians, insisting that he has maintained strong personal and humanitarian ties with the region for many years.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, Obi described claims that he made divisive remarks against the North as false, stressing that his record reflects a commitment to national unity rather than division.
“That’s a lie. It never happened,” Obi said while responding to accusations that he had made statements capable of deepening regional tensions.
To support his position, Obi recounted his visits to several northern states during periods of crisis. He recalled travelling to Borno State at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency to console former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff after the killing of his brother.
“At the onset of the Boko Haram crisis, his own brother was killed. I travelled to Borno State to console him when many people were unwilling to go there,” Obi said.
The former governor 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.
According to Obi, his humanitarian efforts have taken him to several northern states, including Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto and Benue.
“I’ve been to some of the most troubled parts of the North. I’ve visited Benue several times to meet affected communities and have even spent Christmas and New Year in IDP camps,” he said.
Obi further highlighted his record as Governor of Anambra State, noting that his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) was a Muslim from Kano and that all his cooks throughout his eight years in office were Northerners.
He added that his administration sponsored Muslim faithful in Anambra State on annual Hajj pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia.
“As governor, I paid for Muslims living in Anambra to go on Hajj every year,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate also said he continues to support Almajiri schools in Kano and Bauchi, as well as a School of Nursing in Bauchi, describing these efforts as evidence of his commitment to promoting national unity and improving the welfare of Nigerians regardless of region or religion.
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