Northern Leaders In Anambra Clear Obi Of Mosque Demolition, Profiling Allegations

Leaders of the Hausa and northern communities in Anambra State have dismissed claims that Mr Peter Obi discriminated against them or ordered the demolition of a mosque while he was governor,

They described the allegations as politically motivated ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking with journalists in Awka and Onitsha on Sunday, the leaders said northerners in the state enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Obi administration and benefitted from several of its programmes, including free education, agricultural loans and sponsorship for the annual hajj pilgrimage.

Those who spoke were Mr Mahmud Ibrahim, secretary of the Hausa Community in Onitsha and secretary of the Northern Community in Anambra and Delta States; Alhaji Garba Haruna, traditional ruler of the Hausa Community in Awka and Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, chairman of the Northern Community in Anambra State.

Ibrahim said the mosque at the centre of the controversy was demolished in February 2006 during a reprisal attack linked to the Sharia crisis, a month before Obi assumed office 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.

“In fact, it was Obi who visited us at the Army Barracks where we were staying as displaced persons. 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,” he added.

On allegations that Obi compelled northerners to obtain identity cards to remain in Anambra, Ibrahim said the cards were issued by the community itself for member identification.

“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.

Alhaji Haruna said he never witnessed any policy that distinguished between indigenes and non-indigenes under Obi.   “My children benefited from the free education programme, and I personally benefited from his sponsorship for Hajj,” Haruna said.

He added that Obi has maintained ties with the community since leaving office.   “He still relates well with us. He comes here for our functions and sends us gifts during Salah celebrations,” he said.

Alhaji Sidikki recounted benefiting from Obi’s agricultural loan scheme, saying he received N10 million, an amount he put at the equivalent of about N100 million today.   “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 said his son also benefited from the 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 were inconsistent with the allegations circulating against Obi and described the claims as politically driven.

They pledged to mobilise members of the northern community resident in Anambra to support Obi when campaigns for the 2027 election begin. They also expressed optimism about Obi’s prospects, citing an anticipated political partnership with former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, whom they described as “our brother.”