Omoyele Sowore, 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has criticised Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, accusing him of hypocrisy over his recent comments on the north.
Obi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had said he would prioritise the development of northern Nigeria, describing the region as the country’s greatest asset.
“Our greatest asset is in the north. The vast, uncultivated land in the north is our future. We can make more money as a country from agriculture than we make from oil, and we must begin to do that immediately,” Obi said.
Sowore, however, said Obi’s remarks were politically motivated and aimed at securing northern votes.
He alleged that Obi’s current position contradicts actions taken during his tenure as governor of Anambra state.
“If you go to the north, yes, we can turn the north into the greatest assets, but every Nigeria can be turned into the greatest assets. Every inch of Nigeria,” Sowore said.
“But Obi wants to belatedly start pleasing the north. Is it not the same Obi who put northerners inside buses and repatriated them to the north?”
Sowore further claimed that Obi’s only engagement with northerners during his time in office was the alleged repatriation of beggars.
“That time, he forgot that the north is the asset of Nigeria. Don’t let the hypocrite deceive you,” he said.
He argued that all parts of the country have economic potential and should be treated equally.
“The north is a great asset. The south is a great asset. The north-central, the south-west, and everywhere are great assets in the country,” he said.
According to Sowore, Nigeria’s development depends more on leadership than regional focus.
“The country is just waiting for leadership. You will be surprised that the north, south, everywhere will be churning out prosperity,” he added.
