The north, our north, and Peter Obi’s call to unity, by Ibrahim Abdulkarim
In Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape, Peter Obi shines as both a beacon of hope and a stark reminder of our selective memory.
To the Southeast, he is a cherished son, embodying their values of integrity and accountability. To the youth nationwide, he is a catalyst, igniting visions of a Nigeria that thrives. Yet, to the North; Obi remains a puzzle, admired yet questioned, caught between newfound alliances and echoes of the past.
As Northerners, we must pause and reflect: What does our support for Peter Obi truly mean? Are we drawn to him because we believe he can mend Nigeria’s deep wounds, or are we merely using him to shift power from one region to another? If it’s the latter, we’re repeating the mistakes of our history, allowing ourselves to be pieces in a chess game played by elites who dine together in Abuja while families in Sokoto, Kano, Borno, Zamfara, and Jigawa struggle to survive.
The North has suffered as much as the South. The same forces that stifled South dreams have shackled Arewa, not just with violence, but with poverty, ignorance, and a system that produces dependents instead of dreamers.
Peter Obi is no savior, no one person could be, but he is a mirror reflecting our reality. When the North gazes into it, we must face the truth: our true adversaries aren’t in Owerri, Umuahia, Awka, or Port Harcourt. They reside in the corridors of power among us, draped in kaftans or caps, profiting from the despair they’ve sown for generations.
The moment the North embraces this truth, Nigeria’s political story will transform.
Peter Obi offers a spark of integrity in a nation where honesty is often traded for political gain. If the North genuinely seeks peace and prosperity, we must heed voices like his and confront our history with courage.
As long as we cling to the failures of the past, we remain bound to them. But with bold leaders who dare to speak truth like Peter Obi, Nigeria can finally embark on a path to healing and unity.
Let’s heal.
Let’s vote for competence.
A New Nigeria is POssible.
–Abdulkarim is a Senior member of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Team
