Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has continued his nationwide engagements with key Nigerian leaders, holding high-level discussions on unity, leadership responsibility, and national progress in Zaria and Niger State.
DDM gathered that Obi was in Zaria on Tuesday, December 17, 2025, where he met with elder statesman and respected academic, Professor Ango Abdullahi, to exchange views on Nigeria’s deepening challenges and the urgent need for national cohesion.
The meeting, which took place at Zaria Airport and adjoining locations, focused on the state of the nation, widening divisions, and pathways toward rebuilding trust across ethnic, religious, and regional lines.
Sources familiar with the discussion said Obi stressed that Nigeria’s current difficulties demand leaders who are willing to rise above partisan and sectional interests in favour of the collective good.
He reportedly told his host that unity is not achieved through slogans but through justice, fairness, and inclusive governance that gives every citizen a sense of belonging.
Professor Ango Abdullahi, a former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, was said to have shared insights on the historical foundations of Nigeria’s unity and the dangers of leadership failure in a diverse society.
Observers note that the Zaria meeting has drawn attention because of Obi’s growing engagement with influential northern figures, a move some analysts see as strategic ahead of future national political contests.
While in Zaria, Obi also interacted with graduating pilots, using the opportunity to speak directly to young Nigerians about discipline, focus, and excellence.
He encouraged the trainees to see themselves as part of a new generation responsible for restoring professionalism, integrity, and national pride in their respective fields.
According to those present, Obi emphasised that Nigeria’s future rests heavily on young people who are prepared to reject shortcuts and commit to hard work and ethical standards.
From Zaria, Obi proceeded to Niger State, where he paid a courtesy visit to former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his residence.
During the visit, Obi presented Babangida with an autographed copy of the book “Growing Apart,” which examines Nigeria’s historical divisions and the consequences of elite failure.
Discussions during the meeting reportedly centred on national unity, security challenges, economic pressures, and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
Obi was said to have stressed that honest conversations among leaders, regardless of past political differences, are essential for charting a sustainable path forward.
Political analysts say Obi’s recent engagements signal a deliberate effort to position himself as a bridge-builder at a time when Nigeria is grappling with insecurity, economic strain, and declining public trust in leadership.
Supporters argue that such dialogues are necessary steps toward national healing, while critics question whether elite meetings alone can translate into real change for citizens.
Nonetheless, the Zaria and Niger State visits have added fresh momentum to conversations about leadership responsibility, intergenerational cooperation, and the urgent need for collective action.
As Nigeria approaches another critical political phase, observers believe Obi’s emphasis on unity, discipline, and honest dialogue is likely to keep him firmly in the national spotlight.