We are going to question Peter Obi’s administration when he was gov, what he did to northerners in Anambra – Ex-NHIS boss

Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, has reignited controversy surrounding former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Yusuf made the remarks during an interview on Trust TV, where he revisited long-standing allegations linked to Obi’s tenure as governor, particularly claims relating to the treatment of northerners in Anambra State.

His comments come at a time of heightened political activity involving Obi and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who have both recently been linked to the newly formed National Democratic Congress (NDC) after exiting the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The development has fuelled speculation of a possible joint presidential arrangement between the two opposition figures ahead of 2027.

According to Yusuf, Northern Nigeria would critically examine Obi’s record in office, especially allegations that have followed him since his time as governor.

“The evil that men do lives after them. The good is often interred with their bones. We are going to interrogate and question Peter Obi’s tenure when he was governor of Anambra State,” he said.

He further alleged that northerners were subjected to discriminatory treatment during Obi’s administration, including claims of deportation and identification tagging.

“What he did to northerners. We all know that. He deported them. He even made them have an ID card, their names, where they are from, what their occupation is, in this Nigeria that we live in,” Yusuf stated.

The former NHIS boss also suggested that Kwankwaso’s political influence in the North could be instrumental in expanding Obi’s acceptance in the region, but insisted that past records would remain a major factor in political evaluation.

“It is this same Kwankwaso that had to fly to Awka and warn them to be careful because there are more Igbo people living peacefully in Kano than northerners across the South-East,” he said.

“So he will come to the North now and explain to us. And that is why Kwankwaso is the vehicle to sell him to the North. But we have his record to interrogate,” Yusuf added.

Responding to Obi’s frequent references to economic models in Asia as part of his policy outlook, Yusuf dismissed such comparisons as irrelevant to Nigeria’s challenges.

“I know the North more than he does. He cannot come and tell me about the North,” he said.

“The biggest thing that ails us in the North is insecurity. What does he know about insecurity in the North? How is he going to take care of the problems of insecurity in Jibia, Safana, Matazu, Maradun?” he queried.

He also criticised Obi’s policy comparisons with countries such as Bangladesh and Malaysia, arguing that Nigeria requires locally tailored solutions.

“We don’t care. We want solutions to our problems,” he added.

The controversy referenced by Yusuf dates back to Obi’s tenure as governor, when reports surfaced alleging the relocation of some destitute persons from Anambra State. While critics described the move as discriminatory, Obi’s supporters have consistently maintained that the actions were administrative and security-driven, denying any ethnic targeting.

The renewed debate adds to the growing political tensions shaping early alignments and narratives ahead of the 2027 elections.

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