In a statement signed by POMR spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, on Sunday, Obi’s media office accused political opponents of attempting to distort his governance record through ethnic and regional narratives.
The statement said, “Peter Obi’s media office has noted the ongoing, baseless, and wholly malicious claims aimed at misrepresenting the governance record of Mr. Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, particularly concerning his interactions with individuals from Northern Nigeria during his time in office.”
It added, “It is regrettable, yet unsurprising, that political opponents—unable to confront Mr. Obi’s unmatched record of accountability, fiscal responsibility, and developmental progress—have once again resorted to the outdated and harmful tactics of ethnic and regional division.”
The media office specifically rejected allegations that Obi repatriated northerners or targeted northern traders and beggars while serving as 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,” the statement said.
According to the statement, Obi’s administration operated what it described as a humanitarian and social rehabilitation programme aimed at helping vulnerable individuals in Anambra State.
“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,” the statement noted.
“There was never any form of ‘expulsion’ or ethnic cleansing; instead, a structured social rehabilitation program benefitted individuals from across the nation.”
The media office further claimed that Obi maintained cordial relations with northern and Muslim communities in the state throughout his eight-year administration.
“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,” it stated.
The statement alleged that Obi protected northern residents during periods of ethno-religious tensions and supported Muslim faithful undertaking pilgrimage to Mecca.
“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).”
It continued, “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.”
The statement also said Northern traders and livestock merchants in markets such as Amansea operated without harassment under Obi’s government.
“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,” it added.
Obi’s media office linked the renewed criticism to what it described as fears over his economic vision for Northern Nigeria.
“We understand the motivations behind this continued smear campaign; it relates to Obi’s transformative vision for the North as Nigeria’s key economic driver,” the statement said.
“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.”
The statement concluded with a quote attributed to Nazi propagandist, Joseph Goebbels: “A lie told once remains a lie, but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth,” while insisting that “this falsehood will not endure.”