By Valentine Obienyem

Leaders recall free education, agricultural loans and Hajj sponsorship, pledge support for 2027

Leaders of the Hausa and Northern communities in Anambra State have dismissed allegations that Mr Peter Obi, candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), discriminated against northerners or ordered the demolition of a mosque during his tenure as Governor of Anambra State.

The community leaders, who spoke with journalists in Awka and Onitsha yesterday, described the allegations as politically motivated and intended to damage Obi’s reputation ahead of the 2027 general election.

They said that contrary to the claims being circulated, northerners in Anambra enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Obi administration and benefited from several of its programmes, including free education, agricultural loans and sponsorship for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The leaders included the Secretary of the Hausa Community in Onitsha and Secretary of the Northern Community in Anambra and Delta States, Mr Mahmud Ibrahim; the traditional ruler of the Hausa Community in Awka, Alhaji Garba Haruna; and the Chairman of the Northern Community in Anambra State, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki.

Ibrahim, who said he had served as secretary of the community for several years, explained that the mosque at the centre of the controversy was demolished before Obi became governor.

“Our relationship with Mr Peter Obi during his tenure as governor and even now is cordial. We want to make it clear that the rumour that he demolished our mosque while he was governor is untrue,” he said.

According to him, the mosque was demolished in February 2006 during a reprisal attack connected with the Sharia crisis, while Obi assumed office as governor in March of that year.

“In fact, it was Obi who came and visited us at the Army Barracks where we were staying as refugees. He later escorted us back to the mosque and donated money towards its rebuilding. So, we do not understand where this story is coming from,” Ibrahim said.

He also dismissed the allegation that Obi compelled northerners to obtain identity cards as a condition for remaining in Anambra.

He explained that the identification cards issued by the northern community were an initiative of the community itself, intended to facilitate the identification of its members.

“As for the identity cards, it was the Northern Community in Anambra State that came together and decided that we would issue identity cards to our brothers for identification. The ANIDS card was different. It was for everybody in Anambra State. The governor, his commissioners and everyone else had theirs, including myself,” he said.

The traditional ruler of the Hausa Community in Awka, Alhaji Garba Haruna, similarly rejected claims of discrimination against northerners during Obi’s administration.

He said he never witnessed or heard of any policy that created a distinction between indigenes and non-indigenes under Obi.

“Our relationship then and even now remains cordial. My children benefited from the free education programme, and I personally benefited from his sponsorship for Hajj,” Haruna said.

He added that Obi had maintained his relationship with the northern community even after leaving office.

“He still relates well with us. He comes here for our functions and sends us gifts during Salah celebrations. If there is any former governor who is close to Obi, it is Ngige, who still comes here today despite no longer being governor or seeking any position,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Northern Community in Anambra State, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, recalled his personal experience as a beneficiary of Obi’s agricultural loan programme.

Sidikki said he received N10 million under the scheme, describing the amount as equivalent to about N100 million in today’s economy.

“The way they gave the loan to me was the same way they gave it to everybody. There was no discrimination. We are even surprised that before Obi left office, he paid the loan on our behalf,” he said.

He also recalled that his son benefited from Obi’s free education policy and is currently pursuing a PhD in China.

“I came here about 40 years ago. I had my children here, and today I have five graduates. So, I cannot say that Anambra has not been good to me,” he said.

The leaders said their experiences under Obi’s administration were inconsistent with the allegations being circulated against him, describing the claims as politically driven.

They pledged to mobilise members of the northern community resident in Anambra State to support Obi when political campaigns for the 2027 election commence.

They also expressed optimism about Obi’s chances in the election, particularly with the anticipated political partnership involving former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, whom they described as “our brother.”