Give Peter Obi and the Igbos a Chance to Rebuild Nigeria

By Frank Anagu | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

In today’s Nigeria, one man stands out for his integrity, vision and track record; Mr. Peter Obi. Among all the political leaders in Africa today, Obi is seen as one of the most credible, honest and disciplined. Sadly, he continues to face tribal attacks and political opposition not because of what he has done wrong, but simply because he is an Igbo man.

Many of those fighting him are not attacking his ideas or his character; they are fighting his tribe. This tribal mindset is holding Nigeria back and dividing the people, even when the country is crying for real leadership, economic direction and national unity.

Let us forget the lies and tribal gang-ups and focus on the truth. Nigeria needs healing, and it needs a man like Peter Obi to start that healing process.

The Ghost of 1966 and the Burden Placed on the Igbo People. To understand this tribal hate, we need to go back in history (to January 15, 1966) the day of Nigeria’s first military coup. Till today, many Nigerians wrongly believe the coup was an Igbo agenda. The truth, as now confirmed by General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), is that it was not an Igbo coup.

IBB himself made it clear in his official book and interviews that no single tribe was responsible for that military action. Unfortunately, the media and politicians of that time blamed it all on the Igbo people, placing a heavy burden on them that has lasted for decades.

This false belief led to hatred, marginalization, and violence against the Igbos. It has continued even now in 2025, as we see in how Peter Obi is being treated in the political space, not based on his performance or vision, but simply because of his tribe.

It is time to bury that lie once and for all. The Igbo people are not the enemy of Nigeria. In fact, they are some of the most industrious, peaceful and development-focused citizens of this country.

Labour Party Crisis: A Shameful Show of Selfishness. Look at what is happening inside the Labour Party, the political party that gave Peter Obi a platform in the 2023 elections. Instead of supporting the party to grow stronger and challenge the old ways of Nigerian politics, people like Julius Abure, Lamidi Apapa and Arabambi are fighting each other publicly.

They are acting like children in front of the whole country; dragging the name of the party in the mud. These are men who should be building a strong opposition party for the sake of Nigeria’s poor, but instead they are fighting over money, power and positions. What will they be remembered for?

Do they not realise that this selfishness is exactly what Nigerians are tired of?

Their actions show clearly that many of Nigeria’s so-called leaders put personal interest above national interest. This is not about Peter Obi alone. This is about the future of our country. Nigerians are watching and history will not forget those who betrayed the people’s hope for personal gain.

Northern Nigeria: Time to Return to the Spirit of 1960. To our brothers and sisters in Northern Nigeria, we say this with love and respect; it is time to go back to the drawing board where Nigeria began. It is time to remember the spirit of unity, mutual respect and national cooperation that our founding fathers had.

Do you remember the great alliance of 1937? That was when Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and leader of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), joined hands with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the secretary of the National Council for Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC), which later became the National Council of Nigerian Citizens.

That partnership formed the very foundation of Nigeria. It was built on unity, love and the dream of a better Nigeria and that dream led us to independence on October 1st, 1960.

Where is that spirit today? Instead of working together like our fathers did, many politicians now promote division, hate and tribalism. This must stop. It is time for the North to reject those using tribalism for personal gain and embrace true nation builders like Peter Obi.

Peter Obi Is Not an Igbo Project, He Is a Nigerian Project. Let us make something very clear: Peter Obi is not an Igbo project. He is not running for office to promote one tribe over the other. He is a Nigerian project. He is a symbol of competence, accountability and transparency.

When he was Governor of Anambra State, he did his best in the state without borrowing money. Atleast, He paid salaries, renovated schools, upgraded hospitals and saved money for the next government. He proved that good governance is possible in Nigeria.

Today, the same old politicians want to stop him not because he failed, but because they fear change. They fear someone who cannot be bribed or controlled. They fear a man who speaks the truth and lives by it.

We the people must not be afraid. We must stand up and demand a new Nigeria. We must stand behind Peter Obi (not because he is Igbo) but because he is credible, focused and capable.

We Must Break the Cycle of Lies and Hate. The lies against the Igbo people have been exposed. Even before IBB published his book, many Nigerians (including Femi Fani kayode) continued to falsely blame the Igbos for Nigeria’s problems. These are outdated tactics that no longer work.

The truth is out. Let us not allow old lies to divide a new generation. We are wiser now. Nigeria’s future must not be built on bitterness, but on justice, fairness and truth.

A Call for Unity and Support in 2027. As we look forward to the 2027 general elections, this is a call to all well-meaning Nigerians especially our Northern brothers and sisters to support a leader who has the vision, the record and the clean hands to rebuild Nigeria.

Support Peter Obi and let us build the Nigeria our fathers dreamt of a Nigeria where:

Tribe doesn’t matter.

Religion doesn’t divide us.

Corruption is punished.

Youths have jobs.

Schools work.

Roads are safe.

And leadership means service not stealing.

This is what Peter Obi stands for.

Final Words: History Is Watching. Everyone fighting against progress today should know one thing, history is watching. What will you be remembered for? Did you build or did you destroy? Did you unite or did you divide? Did you stand for the truth or sell out for money?

Peter Obi is standing for the truth. He is standing for a new Nigeria. He is standing for all of us North, South, East and West.

Let us give him the chance. Let us break the chains of tribalism. Let us rebuild Nigeria together.