By Jude Opara
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi on Sunday described as baseless and malicious, the claims that he didn’t have a good relationship with people from the north when he served as the governor of Anambra state.
A statement by Ibrahim Umar, the Spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Reach said political opponents who cannot match Obi on both economic and political issues have been pushing such false narrative, which he said makes no meaning because the northern people “know the truth”.
Umar said there is no iota of truth in the allegations that Obi sent northern people out of the state, saying such claims were unfounded and outright fabrication just for political gains.
He said that rather than the alleged false narrative of discrimination, Obi as governor showed compassionate social welfare to the people of the north while he was governor.
“To clarify for the sake of informed Nigerians, we emphatically state: The recurring myth that Mr. Obi “repatriated” Northerners or specifically targeted Northern traders and beggars during his governorship is utterly unfounded.
“In truth, during Obi’s leadership, there was a compassionate social welfare initiative focused on assisting destitute individuals and unaccompanied minors from various states who faced severe vulnerability in Awka and Onitsha. There was never any form of “expulsion” or ethnic cleansing; instead, a structured social rehabilitation program benefitted individuals from across the nation.
“In contrast to the harmful narrative being propagated by those peddling discord in the political arena, Mr. Obi’s administration fostered an exceptionally strong, brotherly relationship with the Northern and Muslim communities in Anambra State. Records from his eight-year tenure demonstrate that even during times of significant national ethno-religious strife, Mr. Obi served as a protector for the Northern community, particularly in regions like the Onitsha Hausa Quarter (Ama Awusa).
“He worked diligently to prevent any retaliatory attacks on Anambra territory, earning considerable respect from local Northern leaders. Additionally, the Obi administration, which has been unjustly criticized, actively supported and sponsored Muslim residents in Anambra for their pilgrimage to Mecca, ensuring they received the same level of respect and governmental support as the Christian majority. Under Obi’s stewardship, Northern traders and livestock merchants in markets such as Amansea were provided with safe environments to operate, free from government-backed harassment or extortion. These accounts can be verified by anyone willing to fact-check, including those who challenge this narrative. The Hausa Fulani community in Onitsha and Awka can corroborate these facts”.
According to the statement, the smear campaign is being peddled by political opponents who could not match Obi and are intimidated by his general acceptance across the country.
“Those attempting to create discord between Mr. Obi and the Northern populace are evidently threatened by his message of national productivity that aims to elevate those in poverty. Mr. Obi has consistently and openly asserted that Nigeria’s future lies in the untapped, fertile lands of Northern Nigeria. His vision focuses on shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to one of production, turning the North into Africa’s food hub and an agricultural powerhouse”.
Umar added that it is ironic that a leader who perceives the North as Nigeria’s most significant economic resource is being mischaracterized as its enemy by individuals who only engage with the region during election cycles.
