I don’t hate Northerners, I cared for them in Anambra, Obi says
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi has appealed to Muslim communities in Anambra and elsewhere in the country to disregard the lies of those who falsely accuse him of hating Northerners.
Bashir Ahmad, Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, had earlier accused Obi of disliking the North, saying the region would never support his presidential ambition.
Obi again on Sunday countered the charge at the Onitsha Central Mosque where he celebrated Eid-el-Fitr with the Muslim ummah in Anambra.
He presented to the community food items and a cash gift of N500,000 and explained his visit was to celebrate with them as he has always done, promising to continue to support Muslims in the state and other parts of the country.
Obi reiterated the need for Nigerians to love and appreciate one another, insisting every Nigerian should be free to live and thrive in any part of the country without intimidation or harassment.
His words: “I am a Nigerian who believes in Nigeria. My ADC when I was Governor, Idris, is a Northerner from Kano State, and he is a good man. I have never discriminated against anyone based on religion or tribe, and I will never do that.
“I want the whole nation to hold me accountable on this. I will never discriminate against anybody. I will continue to support you especially in areas of education, health and your worship.
“Please disregard anyone who tells you that I do not like the Northerners. I love every Nigerian.”
Anambra Muslim Community Secretary Mahmoud Imam, a lawyer, in his speech on behalf of others, registered their displeasure with the “lies and propaganda” against Obi in politics.
Imam said Obi has remained supportive to the Muslim community from his days as Anambra Governor.
He described Obi as a true and detribalised Nigerian who does not segregate against tribe, religion or ethnicity.
He said they are not happy with the religious and ethnic colouration being given to Obi and his quest for a New Nigeria.
Imam affirmed Obi has continued to give them support through their many challenges as a community in the state.
“We follow the news, and we are not pleased with the many negative stories people tell about Obi’s relationship with the North. We here are not only to get close to Obi, but we have remained the consistent beneficiaries of his benevolence,” he said.
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False stories circulated online
“So we can say, authoritatively, that the stories making the rounds online, that Peter Obi does not care for Northerners, are false, Imam stressed, per Tribune.
“When our mosque was burnt down, he quickly rebuilt it for us, and made it even better. During the crisis that erupted in the state in 2006, Obi ensured that no Hausa man was hurt. He gave us maximum security in the barracks.
“Throughout his eight years as Governor, he would invite us to Government House every year during Sallah celebration, eat and celebrate with us. This time around, he decided to visit and celebrate with us in the mosque.
“Many of our people here, no fewer than 150, were sponsored by Peter Obi to Mecca for pilgrimage, over the years.
“We equally watched his movements during the campaign, how he toured the Northern part of Nigeria and visited places no one expected. We are happy with our relationship with him and with the North. He is a true Nigerian.”
Onitsha Central Mosque Chief Imam, Abdulrahman Hamza, expressed appreciation to Obi for his benevolence and prayed God to continue to protect, bless, and guide him.