NEWS
“No Non-Muslim Governor Has Sent More People to Mecca Than Me“ — Peter Obi Says
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has highlighted his record of supporting religious pilgrimages, insisting that his commitment extends beyond religious boundaries.
Obi, while speaking about his approach to governance and religious inclusion, said that as a non-Muslim governor, he had sponsored more Muslims to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca than any other non-Muslim governor.
He recalled that his decision had attracted criticism, particularly when he travelled to Awka, but maintained that he deliberately supported both Christian and Muslim pilgrimages because he believes government should accommodate people of different faiths.
According to Obi, his support for religious pilgrims was not limited to Mecca. He said he also sponsored people to Israel for Christian pilgrimage, stressing that his actions were guided by his belief in religious inclusion and equal treatment.
“Till today, no non Muslim governor has sent people to Mecca more than me. They said it when I went to Awka. When I do pilgrimage, I send people to Israel, I send people to Mecca, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE WAY TO GO,” he said as captured on Arise News TV.
The former Anambra State governor’s remarks have reignited discussions about the role of government in supporting religious activities and the importance of maintaining fairness among citizens of different faiths.
Obi’s comments also reflect his broader argument that public leadership should be centred on inclusiveness, with government institutions and resources serving citizens irrespective of their religious backgrounds.
His emphasis on sponsoring both Muslim and Christian pilgrims appears aimed at reinforcing his position that religious identity should not determine how citizens are treated by government.
The statement is likely to generate further debate as political parties and presidential hopefuls increasingly position themselves ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections.