Obi Did Not Expel Northerners from Anambra, Says Media Office

The Peter Obi Media Office has dismissed the persistent, unfounded accusations that it says are intended to distort the record of former Anambra State governor Mr. Peter Obi.

The office specifically addressed the alleged false claims that Obi had expelled or targeted people from Northern Nigeria while in office, noting that it is unsurprising that political rivals, unable to challenge Obi’s record of accountability, fiscal prudence, and development achievements, resort to divisive tactics based on ethnicity and region.

A statement signed by Ibrahim Umar, spokesman for the POMR, was issued on Sunday. It refuted the recurring myth that Obi had repatriated Northerners or singled out Northern traders and beggars during his governorship, calling the claim “utterly unfounded.”

“In truth, during Obi’s leadership there was a compassionate social welfare initiative aimed at helping destitute individuals and unaccompanied minors from various states who faced severe vulnerability in Awka and Onitsha. There was never any form of ‘expulsion’ or ethnic cleansing; instead, a structured social rehabilitation programme benefited individuals from across the nation,” the statement read.

The statement added, “In contrast to the harmful narrative being propagated by those peddling discord in the political arena, Mr. Obi’s administration fostered an exceptionally strong, brotherly relationship with the Northern and Muslim communities in Anambra State.”

“Records from his eight‑year tenure demonstrate that even during times of significant national ethno‑religious strife, Mr. Obi served as a protector for the Northern community, particularly in regions like the Onitsha Hausa Quarter (Ama Awusa).”

“He worked diligently to prevent any retaliatory attacks on Anambra territory, earning considerable respect from local Northern leaders.”

“Additionally, the Obi administration, which has been unjustly criticised, actively supported and sponsored Muslim residents in Anambra for their pilgrimage to Mecca, ensuring they received the same level of respect and governmental support as the Christian majority.”

“Under Obi’s stewardship, Northern traders and livestock merchants in markets such as Amansea were provided with safe environments to operate, free from government‑backed harassment or extortion. These accounts can be verified by anyone willing to fact‑check, including those who challenge this narrative. The Hausa‑Fulani community in Onitsha and Awka can corroborate these facts.”

“We understand the motivations behind this continued smear campaign; it relates to Obi’s transformative vision for the North as Nigeria’s key economic driver. Those attempting to create discord between Mr. Obi and the Northern populace are evidently threatened by his message of national productivity that aims to elevate those in poverty.”

“Mr. Obi has consistently and openly asserted that Nigeria’s future lies in the untapped, fertile lands of Northern Nigeria. His vision focuses on shifting Nigeria from a consumption‑driven economy to one of production, turning the North into Africa’s food hub and an agricultural powerhouse.”

“It is ironic that a leader who perceives the North as Nigeria’s most significant economic resource is being mischaracterised as its enemy by individuals who only engage with the region during election cycles.”

“The Peter Obi Media Office does not intend to overlook this, even though the falsehood is apparent and the facts speak for themselves. As Joseph Goebbels once remarked, ‘A lie told once remains a lie, but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.’ This falsehood will not endure, as Peter Obi possesses a vision for the geopolitical North that no other current Nigerian leader can match.”