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Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the recent general election on February 25, expressed his concern that some politicians are using politics as a means to sow seeds of discord among Nigerians.
Obi, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, has highlighted the divisive tactics employed by some politicians that can create rifts and disharmony among the people.
Obi stated this in Onitsha, Anambra State on
Sunday when he visited the Muslim community to celebrate the Sallah holiday.
He emphasized that despite being one nation,
some politicians resort to divisive tactics during political campaigns, aiming
to divide Nigerian citizens along tribal and religious lines, in their
desperate pursuit to reap where they did not sow.
Mr. Peter Obi underscored that while
Nigerians are united as one nation, there are politicians who, in their
desperate pursuit of personal gains, employ divisive strategies during
political campaigns to sow segregation among citizens based on tribal and
religious differences.
He said, “I am here today to celebrate with
you on this year’s occasion. Nigeria is one country. I am one Nigerian who
believes in Nigeria, and also that we are one, irrespective of tribe and
religion. I have never discriminated against anyone on the basis of religion,
and I will never do that.
“The only thing that brings division among us
is politics. Once it is time for election, some politicians engage in divisive
campaigns, but it should not be so. One of my businesses is run by a northerner
from Kano, and the business is doing well.
“You all are my brothers, and I am your
brother. Today is not for politics but for celebration. I came after the election
because if I came during politics, people would have said it is because I am
running to be president.
“No one has supported the Muslim community in
Anambra like me. This mosque was demolished at some point, but when I
became governor I rebuilt it the way it is today. We see you as part of us, and
I want to assure you that no one can stop you from living here and carrying out
your businesses.
“I live here in Onitsha, and if there is any
need to contact me, always do so. If you need me in the area of healthcare and
education, feel free to call on me, because those are areas I’m very passionate
about.”
Earlier the Chief Imam of Onitsha Central
Mosque, Alhaji Abdulrahman Imam, praised Obi for his consistent visits to the
Muslim community during various celebrations, noting that he was the only
governor in the state who actively felicitated with them.
“This mosque was rebuilt by you when it was
demolished years back. You visited us in the Army barracks when we had problems
then. All the years you were governor, you always visited us during celebrations
like this, so you are not new to us.
“For the eight years you were governor, you
sponsored a lot of our members to Mecca. You did all these, even though you are
a Christian. That is why we say we are with you, even as a Christian.”
Also, the secretary and spokesperson of the
Hausa community in Onitsha, Mr Mahmud Imam, said the Hausa community has
decided to support Obi and would continue to pray that he triumphs and leads
Nigeria because his capacity to lead is not in doubt.
Imam said, “We know what you are capable of,
you did it here while you were governor.
“We (Hausa community) are the highest
registered voters in Odoakpu Ward four here, and we voted for you, and we have
no regret about that.
“We saw you during campaigns, visiting
interior parts of the north, places that presidential candidates that are of
northern extraction feared to go to. We are happy that you represented very
well, and you vindicated us, through the messages we always sent back to our
people that you were the best for the position.”
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