The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has denied allegations that he made divisive remarks about northern Nigerians, insisting that the claims are false and inconsistent with his record of engagement and humanitarian interventions across the region.

Obi made the clarification during an interview on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, where he also rejected suggestions that his presidency would deepen divisions in the country.

Responding to the allegation, the former Anambra State governor said: “That’s a lie. It never happened.”

To support his position, Obi highlighted his longstanding relationship with northern communities, recalling several visits to states affected by insecurity and humanitarian crises.

He recounted travelling to Borno State during the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency to console former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff following the killing of his brother.

“At the onset of this Boko Haram issue… his own brother was killed. I travelled to Borno State to console him. When people didn’t want to go there, I went to Borno State,” he said.

Obi also recalled returning to Borno after severe flooding, where he donated ₦50 million, met with the state governor and the Shehu of Borno, and visited internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

According to him, his humanitarian activities have taken him to several northern states, including Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi and Sokoto.

“I’ve been to the most troubled parts of the North… I’ve been to Benue up to four times, visiting the various affected communities… I’ve spent Christmas and New Year in IDP camps,” he said.

Obi further argued that his personal and professional relationships reflected his commitment to national unity rather than division.

“My ADC was from Kano, and he’s a Muslim,” he said.

The NDC presidential candidate added that throughout his eight years as governor of Anambra State, all his cooks were northerners and that his administration sponsored Muslim faithful in the state on annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

“As governor, I was paying for Muslims living in Anambra to go to Hajj,” he said.

He also disclosed that he currently supports Almajiri schools in Kano and Bauchi, as well as a School of Nursing in Bauchi, describing the initiatives as part of his commitment to education and humanitarian development across the country.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to step aside before the 2027 general election, saying Nigeria requires a more energetic and capable leader to tackle its worsening economic hardship and security challenges.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Obi argued that Tinubu’s administration has failed to provide the leadership needed to address the country’s growing crises. He said the president no longer possesses the capacity required to govern effectively.

According to Obi, there is a stark contrast between Tinubu’s years as governor of Lagos State and his current performance as president.

“The Bola Tinubu that was governor is not the one that is president today. He’s tired. He should be allowed to retire in peace and then go home,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor maintained that Nigeria was heading in the wrong direction under the current administration, insisting that the country needed a change in leadership.

“As it is right now, Bola Tinubu is leading us nowhere. We will turn it so he can see it. That’s why maybe I’m calling for his retirement. The man should just step aside. Yes, he doesn’t have the capacity to do the job,” he said.

Obi urged Nigerians to shift attention away from political calculations and focus on pressing national issues such as poverty, hunger, education and insecurity. Citing recent global projections, he said nearly 79 per cent of Nigerians could fall below the poverty line, while millions were also at risk of food insecurity.

Reacting to comments by United States President Donald Trump praising Tinubu’s efforts against insecurity, Obi acknowledged the commendation but insisted the government’s response remained inadequate.

“Thank you to Donald Trump. Thank you to President Trump. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing,” he said.

“I’ve heard people, and Donald Trump is now confirming it, say he has done his best. But with the crisis we are facing, his best is not enough. We need to do more.”

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised Nigeria’s political system, claiming that politicians accused of corruption often appear to be cleared of wrongdoing once they defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obi made the remark during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, where he also argued that Nigeria’s political parties lack clear ideologies.

According to him, the country’s politics has become driven by personal interests rather than principles.

“For me, there is no political party in Nigeria Today that has an ideology. There is none. Otherwise, the ideology of the APC would be that if you are corrupt and you move to the APC, you are no longer corrupt,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor maintained that what Nigeria needs are competent and committed leaders with integrity and compassion, rather than politicians who change parties for personal gain.

He also accused the ruling party of weakening opposition parties, alleging that the crises affecting the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and previously the Labour Party (LP) were not accidental.

“The president said it, and it is happening. When opposition parties are having problems, that is his wish. Because of it, they are destroying the judiciary,” Obi alleged.

He said that, if elected president, he would protect opposition parties and ensure they operate freely without interference from the government or regulatory agencies.

Obi also dismissed claims that endorsements from state governors would guarantee President Bola Tinubu victory in the 2027 presidential election.

He argued that governors’ support does not always reflect the views of the people in their states.