The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has explained his attendance at the commissioning of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja, saying political differences should not override the shared love for Nigeria.
Obi said he attended the event alongside Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the APM presidential candidate, and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, whom he described as the leader of the party.
He disclosed this in a statement posted on X on Tuesday morning.
The former Anambra State governor said his participation was an opportunity to advocate for a political culture anchored on unity, love, justice, mutual respect and inclusion.
“Yesterday, I joined my brothers, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the Leader of the APM, at the commissioning of the party’s Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja,” Obi said.
He said the country needed a new political approach, particularly as political contests ahead of the forthcoming elections could become contentious and divisive.
“I used the opportunity to emphasise the need for us to build a New Nigeria anchored on Unity, Love, Justice, mutual respect, and inclusion, particularly at a time when political contests can become unnecessarily contentious and divisive,” he said.
Obi urged political actors to place national interest above partisan differences, stressing that love for the country should remain greater than political disagreements.
“We must insist that our shared love for our country should always be greater than our political differences. This is my call to all contestants in the forthcoming elections,” he said.
He also challenged political parties and candidates to make ideas and practical solutions the focus of their campaigns rather than divisive rhetoric.
According to him, political contests should centre on addressing Nigeria’s major socio-economic challenges, including insecurity, poverty, hunger, inequality and the increasing number of out-of-school children.
“Let our contest be about ideas and solutions that will address the enormous challenges facing our country today: insecurity, poverty, hunger, inequality, and the growing number of out-of-school children,” Obi said.
He further called for issue-based campaigns that would promote national unity and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
“Let us compete on ideas that will unite our people, improve their lives, and restore hope to our nation, while maintaining respect, decency, and love for one another,” he added.
Obi congratulated Makinde, Mohammed and other APM leaders and members on the commissioning of the campaign office.
“I congratulate my dear brothers, Governor Seyi Makinde and Governor Bala Mohammed, as well as all the leaders and members of the APM, on this important milestone,” he said.