I Will Unite Nigeria, I Know What It Takes — Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that he would divide Nigeria if elected president, insisting instead that he possesses the experience and leadership required to unite the country.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on Sunday Politics with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television, Obi responded to comments by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who had questioned his ability to unify the country.

Rejecting the criticism, Obi said his record demonstrated a long-standing commitment to national unity.

“I will unite Nigeria, and I know what it takes to unite Nigeria,” the former Labour Party presidential candidate said.

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.

He recalled travelling to Borno State to condole with Sheriff after the killing of the former governor’s 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 also said he visited the state after devastating floods, donated ₦50 million, met with the governor and the Shehu of Borno, and visited internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

According to him, similar 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.”

Obi said he had funded 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 said. 

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.”

‘An Obi Presidency Will Heal Nigeria’

Addressing concerns about whether Nigeria had moved beyond divisions rooted in the Civil War, Obi said his presidency would mark the beginning of national healing.

“A Peter Obi presidency will commence the healing and the unity that is required to stabilise and build a better Nigeria.”

He argued that while Nigeria should acknowledge its history, it must not allow the past 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,” he said.

“We have a history, but we must not be trapped in it. It must not deprive us of tomorrow.”

According to Obi, 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.”

‘I Have Never Labelled Northerners’

Responding to allegations that he had made divisive remarks about northern Nigerians, Obi described the claims as false.

“That’s a lie. It never happened.”

He said his closest aides and associates over the years had included several northerners and Muslims.

“My ADC was from Kano, and he’s a Muslim.”

Obi also said all cooks who served him during his eight years as governor of Anambra State were from northern Nigeria, while he sponsored Muslims from the state on annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

“As governor, I was paying for Muslims living in Anambra to go to Hajj.”

He further revealed that he currently supports Almajiri schools in Kano and Bauchi, as well as a School of Nursing in Bauchi.

The former governor said political debates should centre on the country’s pressing challenges rather than personal attacks.

“Instead of us discussing the problems of the country, people come before you to discuss Peter Obi.”

He maintained that poverty, insecurity, education and healthcare should dominate national conversations.

Obi maintained that his vision was to build an inclusive nation where every citizen feels 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.”