iDeemlawfulLabour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has drawn renewed criticism after describing Nigerian Muslims as beggars and asserting that begging is associated with Islamic culture.
In a widely circulated video, the former Anambra governor recounted an encounter during a visit to Indonesia.
Obi explained that during the trip, he raised questions with some Muslims present—as well as the Indonesian president—about why the streets had no almajiri or people begging, a contrast to what is commonly witnessed in Nigeria.
“In Indonesia, I met everyone, from ministers to the vice president and even the president. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. When we were there, I turned to the two Muslims with me, and I asked the leaders: ‘Do you have Almajiri children here?’ They said, ‘No.’
“So I asked the president, ‘Why don’t you have children begging on the streets? Isn’t it part of Muslim culture?’
According to him, the president replied: “Why would they be begging? They are educated. Educate your people and they become productive.”
He also recounted a visit to the Sultan’s residence where he observed a large statue of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Curious about why a Muslim leader displayed Christian symbols, he asked for an explanation. The reply was brief: “It was a gift, and it is a good statue.”
Obi then questioned: “So why is our own situation in Nigeria so different?”
This episode follows earlier occasions where Peter Obi faced scrutiny over remarks involving Muslims, with some critics branding him a religious bigot.
In 2023, the Peoples Gazette released a notable report containing a phone conversation between Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Winners’ Chapel.
The leaked audio, recorded shortly before the February 25 presidential election, featured Obi urging Oyedepo to rally Christian voters, especially in the north-central states of Kwara, Kogi, and Niger. In the discussion, he framed the election as a “religious war.”
Although Obi maintained that the recording was doctored, he was heard repeatedly saying “yes daddy” during the call. At one point, he appealed: “Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the south-west and Kwara, the Christians in the south-west and Kwara. This is a religious war. Like I keep saying: if this works, you people will never regret the support.”
