I have what it takes to unite Nigeria, Peter Obi replies critics

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, has dismissed suggestions that his emergence as president would deepen Nigeria’s divisions, insisting that his track record proves he can unite the country.

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Obi made the remarks during an appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, where he responded to comments by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, who questioned his capacity to foster national unity.

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He said his years of engagement across the country demonstrated a commitment to national cohesion rather than division.

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“I will unite Nigeria, and I know what it takes to unite Nigeria,” he said.

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He argued that his record of humanitarian interventions and visits to different parts of the country spoke louder than political accusations.

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Recalling the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency, Obi said he travelled to Borno State to sympathise with Sheriff after the former governor lost his brother to the violence.

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“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.”

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Obi also recounted returning to Borno after severe flooding, where he donated ₦50 million, met with the state governor and the Shehu of Borno, and visited internally displaced persons camps.

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He said similar humanitarian efforts had taken him to several northern states, including Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi and Sokoto.

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“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.

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According to Obi, he has also funded borehole projects in several northern communities and supported educational and healthcare institutions, including agricultural initiatives at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto.

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“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.

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The former governor added that he had travelled extensively across the country, particularly by road, to understand the needs of Nigerians better.

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“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.

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On national reconciliation, Obi said his administration would prioritise healing longstanding divisions and building a more united country.

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

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He urged Nigerians not to allow historical grievances to define the country’s future.

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“You cannot be trapped in the process of yesterday. Those who are trapped in the process of yesterday will lose the future.

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

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Obi said his vision was for a Nigeria where citizens are judged by their character and contributions rather than ethnicity or religion.

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“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.

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Responding to allegations that he once made divisive comments about northern Nigerians, Obi dismissed the claims outright.

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He said, “That’s a lie. It never happened.”

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He pointed to his relationship with northern Nigerians, noting that several of his close associates were from the region.

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

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Obi also disclosed that during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, all the cooks attached to him were northerners and that he sponsored Muslims in the state to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

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

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

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The former Labour Party presidential candidate said public discourse should focus on solving Nigeria’s pressing challenges rather than attacking political opponents.

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

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He maintained that issues such as poverty, insecurity, education and healthcare deserved greater attention.

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Reaffirming his commitment to national unity, Obi said every part of the country would be carried along under his leadership.

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He said, “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.”

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