Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has clarified comments he made during an interview concerning commissioners who served while he governed Anambra State.
Obi explained that he was referring to commissioners of police rather than members of his state executive council.
The clarification followed public debate over his statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
According to Obi, every commissioner of police posted to Anambra State during his eight years as governor came from a northern state.
He said it would have been inaccurate to suggest that all members of his cabinet were northerners.
“I meant that all the commissioners of police who served during my administration as governor of Anambra State were northerners.
“Of course, I could not have meant that all commissioners in my cabinet were northerners. I believe I corrected the mistake during the interview,” Obi said.
The six commissioners of police who served during the period were John Haruna from Taraba State, Amusa Bello from Kwara State, Philemon Leha from Adamawa State, Muhtari Ibrahim from Kano State, Balla Nasarawa from Kebbi State and Usman Gwary from Adamawa State.
Four of the six officers were Muslims.
Some of the former police commissioners later defended Obi against allegations that his administration was hostile to northerners or religious minorities.
They rejected claims that mosques were demolished or non indigenes were removed from Anambra State during his tenure.
The officers described Obi as fair, humane and committed to maintaining peaceful relations among ethnic and religious communities.
