Media Office Rejects ‘Northern Whisper Campaign’ Against Peter Obi

The Media Office of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has rejected what it described as a false “northern whisper campaign” targeting the former Anambra State governor.

The office, through Peter Obi Media Reach, said false claims concerning Obi’s relationship with northerners during his tenure as governor had continued to circulate despite repeated denials from northern community leaders in Anambra State.

According to the media office, the allegations were misleading and did not reflect the relationship Obi maintained with northern residents and communities while serving as governor.

It said northern leaders in Anambra had publicly rejected the claims and affirmed that Obi was supportive of their interests both while he was in office and after leaving government.

The office argued that the continued circulation of the allegations appeared to be part of an attempt to create division and influence public perception ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It maintained that political disagreements should be based on verifiable facts and policy differences rather than claims it described as unsubstantiated.

The media office said the northern community in Anambra State had continued to acknowledge the support received during Obi’s administration, challenging those spreading the allegations to provide evidence to substantiate their claims.

It further urged Nigerians to scrutinise political narratives and distinguish between genuine concerns and what it described as deliberately manufactured stories designed to damage the reputation of political opponents.

Obi, who previously contested the 2023 presidential election, is expected to remain one of the prominent figures in discussions surrounding the 2027 presidential contest.

His political support base cuts across different regions, although questions about regional alliances and voting patterns are expected to feature prominently as political parties and candidates prepare for the next election.

The media office said the former governor remained committed to national unity and an inclusive political system in which citizens from different ethnic and regional backgrounds could participate equally.

It urged northern Nigerians and other citizens not to allow what it described as politically motivated misinformation to create unnecessary tension or distrust.

The statement also called on political actors and their supporters to focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, infrastructure and institutional development.

The media office reiterated that the allegations about Obi’s relationship with northerners were false and should not be allowed to distract from discussions about the policies and leadership choices facing Nigerians ahead of 2027.