Three former Commissioners of Police (CPs) in Anambra State during the tenure of Mr. Peter Obi as governor of the state have exonerated him from the allegations that he demolished mosques and sacked non-indigenes, particularly northerners from the state.
These allegations are being propagated by the opposition against him on social media.
Speaking on at different occasions on the subject-matter, they were unanimous in rating Obi as a fair, humane and detribalised Nigerian, “whose passion as governor was for the good of all within his jurisdiction.”
Dismissing the news of demolition of mosques as a lie and propaganda obviously planted by the opposition to discredit the Atiku/Obi presidential ticket, they called on all well-meaning Nigerians, including Northern youths, to disregard the news as fake, urging them to always try as much as possible to verify report before believing them.
The former CPs in Anambra State, Gwary Usman, Alhaji Amusa Bello and Philemon Leha, who later retired in higher ranks, expressed concern over the spate of fake news, especially on social media, targeted at impugning the integrity of credible Nigerians, incidentally, the three ex-police officers are northerners who served during Obi’s eight years as governor.
Alhaji Amusa Bello, who was the CP in Anambra State from 2006 to 2010, described the allegation as laughable and a figment of the author’s imagination.
He also advised rumour mongers and purveyors of falsehood to desist from such acts, and support whoever God anointed to showcase what modern politics, leadership and management should represent.
Bello observed that it was unthinkable for anyone to associate Obi with violence or rascality as he never demolished any Mosque nor asked anyone, aside from criminals and kidnappers, to leave the state.
According to him, “I call on those behind this rumour to desist from that and look for fact. They should stop this ‘pull-him-down syndrome’ that will never take them anywhere good. Obi has a lot of credentials and several attributes that favour him in his aspiration. He dresses simple among others. Let them look for fact. He has emerged vice presidential candidate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; it’s God that ordained him. Let them support him.”
Similarly, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Philemon Leha, asserted that the Obi he worked with could not have and did not demolish Mosques nor asked non-indigenes to leave the state.
Visibly upset by the spurious allegation against Obi, he said: “I am from the North and I know what I am saying. Northerners are among the people building the economy of Anambra State and in what circumstances could a governor have sacked them? Numbering millions, they are practically everywhere in the state, including Awka, Amansea, Onitsha, Nnewi and many other towns and communities. Let Nigerians be assured that the allegation is a lie.”
Usman, who is a retired AIG, described the allegation as “false and wicked.” According to him, “It is not true. The allegation is false. I was in the state as CP and I was better placed to know the truth. Throughout the time I was in the state, nothing like that ever happened.”
Surprised at the gullibility of the people, he submitted that “Peter Obi is a gentleman. I can vouch for him. He is a detribalised citizen. I can tell you authoritatively that even if I wake up from slumber, I will tell you that Obi did not and can never hate any Northerner. I am surprised that our people are being deceived.”