Alhaji Musa Bello (left), leader of the Muslim community in Anambra State; the traditional ruler of the Hausa Community in Awka, Alhaji Garba Haruna (middle); and the Chairman of the Northern Community in Anambra State, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki (right) while speaking to the Press in Awka.
Leaders recall free education, agricultural loans, Hajj sponsorship, pledge support for 2027
Leaders of Hausa and northern communities in Anambra State have dismissed allegations that former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, discriminated against northerners or ordered the demolition of a mosque during his tenure.
The community leaders, who spoke with journalists in Awka and Onitsha, described the allegations as politically motivated and aimed at damaging Obi’s reputation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They said their experience during Obi’s administration was contrary to the allegations, noting that members of the northern community benefited from government programmes, including free education, agricultural loans and sponsorship for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Those who spoke 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, disputed the claim that Obi ordered the demolition of a mosque during his tenure.
“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 Ibrahim, the mosque was demolished in February 2006 during a reprisal attack linked to the Sharia crisis, before Obi assumed office as governor in March of the same year.
He said Obi later visited members of the northern community at the Army Barracks, where they had taken refuge, and supported efforts to rebuild the mosque.
“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 denied the allegation that Obi compelled northerners to obtain identity cards as a condition for remaining in Anambra.
Ibrahim explained that identity cards issued by the northern community were an initiative of the community to facilitate the identification of its members, while the Anambra State identity card was issued to residents generally.
“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.
Haruna also rejected claims that Obi discriminated against northerners during his administration.
He said he was unaware of any policy under Obi that created a distinction between indigenes and 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 had maintained his relationship with the northern community 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.
Sidikki, Chairman of the Northern Community in Anambra State, recalled that he personally benefited from Obi’s agricultural loan programme.
He said he received N10 million under the scheme, which he described 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,” Sidikki said.
He added that his son also benefited from Obi’s free education programme 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 did not support the allegations being circulated against him, which they described as politically motivated.
They also pledged to mobilise members of the northern community resident in Anambra State to support Obi when campaigns for the 2027 election commence.
The leaders expressed optimism about Obi’s prospects in the election, particularly in view of a possible political partnership with former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, whom they described as “our brother.”
