The community leaders, who spoke separately in Onitsha and Awka, also dismissed reports that Obi ordered the demolition of a mosque while he was governor. They described such narratives as false and designed to tarnish the image of the former Anambra governor and 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate.
According to them, their relationship with the Obi administration was cordial and beneficial. They cited free education, agricultural loans, sponsorship for Hajj pilgrimage, and direct support to the community as evidence of Obi’s inclusiveness.
Those who spoke include Mr. Mahmud Ibrahim, Secretary of the Northern Community for Anambra and Delta States and a lawyer; Alhaji Garba Haruna, the traditional ruler of the Hausa Community in Awka; and Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, Chairman of the Northern Community in Anambra State.
"The Mosque Was Demolished Before He Became Governor"
Addressing the most viral allegation, Mahmud Ibrahim said the mosque said to have been demolished was brought down in February 2006, during reprisal attacks linked to the Sharia crisis in Onitsha. Obi, he noted, was sworn in as governor in March 2006.
“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,” Ibrahim said.
He recalled that after the attack, northerners took refuge at the Army Barracks in Onitsha. It was Obi, he said, who visited them there, and later personally escorted them back to their mosque site.
“In fact, it was Obi who visited us at the Army Barracks in Onitsha 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 stated.
On ID Cards and "ANIDS"
Ibrahim also addressed allegations that Obi compelled northerners to obtain special identity cards to remain in Anambra.
He clarified that the ID cards were an initiative of the Northern Community itself, meant to help identify members within the state.
“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 explained.
"My Children Benefited From Free Education, I Benefited From Hajj" - Hausa Leader
Alhaji Garba Haruna, the traditional ruler of the Hausa Community in Awka, said he never witnessed any policy under Obi that separated indigenes from non-indigenes.
“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 has not cut ties with the community since leaving office. According to him, the former governor still attends their events and sends gifts during Salah celebrations.
“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 added.
"He Gave Me N10m Loan and Paid It Back" - Community Chairman
For Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, Chairman of the Northern Community in Anambra, his experience under Obi was personal and positive.
He said he was a beneficiary of the state’s agricultural loan scheme and received N10 million. He said the process was transparent and that there was no discrimination in disbursement.
“The way they gave the loan to me was the same way they gave it to others. There was no discrimination. We are even surprised that before Obi left office, he repaid the outstanding loans on our behalf,” Sidikki said.
He also credited Obi’s free education policy for his children’s success. Sidikki said he has lived in Anambra for about 40 years, raised all his children in the state, and now has five graduates. One of them, he said, is currently pursuing a PhD in China after benefiting from the state’s education program.
“I came here about 40 years ago. I had all my children here, and today I have five graduates. So, I cannot say that Anambra has not been good to me,” he said.
"The Allegations Are Political" - Leaders Vow Support for 2027
The three leaders said the timing of the allegations shows they are politically driven, aimed at damaging Obi’s reputation ahead of the 2027 general election where he is contesting under the NDC.
They said their lived experiences under Obi’s administration do not match the claims being circulated.
As a result, they said the Northern Community in Anambra will mobilize its members to support Obi when campaigns begin.
They also expressed optimism about Obi’s chances in 2027, particularly because of what they described as a potential political alignment with former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“We see Kwankwaso as our brother. That partnership gives us hope,” one of the leaders said.
The defense from Anambra’s northern leaders adds a new dimension to the public debate around Obi’s record as governor, as political activities begin to gather momentum toward 2027.
For now, the community insists that their history with Obi is one of support, not discrimination — from rebuilding a mosque to paying school fees, funding pilgrimages, and providing loans without bias.
