The candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 presidential poll, Mr. Peter Obi, has blamed a lack of unity in the country on desperate politicians using politics to sow seeds of discord among Nigerians.
Obi said this in Onitsha yesterday when he celebrated Sallah with the Muslim community in the Anambra State commercial city.
According to him, Nigerians are one but once politics comes in some desperate politicians capitalise on it to divide the citizens along tribal and religious lines.
The former governor, who donated bags of rice, cartons of noodles and packs of soft drinks to Muslims, prayed to Allah to accept their fasting and sacrifices and grant them a good life.
He said: “I’m here today to celebrate with you on this year’s occasion. Nigeria is one country. I’m one Nigerian who believes in Nigeria, and also that we are one, irrespective of tribe and religion. 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’s time for an 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.”
The Chief Imam of Onitsha Central Mosque Alhaji Abdulrahman Imam praised Obi for the visit. According to him, the LP chief remains the only governor in the state who visits members of the Muslim community at every celebration to felicitate them.
Imam said: “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 of the Hausa community in Onitsha Mahmud Imam said they would continue to pray that Obi leads Nigeria because his capacity to lead is not in doubt.
