The Peter Obi Media Office has raised the alarm over what it described as a malicious “whisper campaign” allegedly aimed at portraying the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, as hostile to Northerners ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the media office said it had received information indicating that some individuals were continuing to circulate what it described as false narratives about Obi in rural communities across Northern Nigeria.

According to the statement, the allegations are being discreetly repeated at gatherings in some Northern communities in an attempt to influence public perception of the former Anambra State governor.

The media office said the claims centre on Obi’s relationship with Northerners during his tenure as governor of Anambra State and have persisted despite what it described as denials from Northern leaders resident in the state.

It said those leaders had affirmed that Obi maintained cordial relations with Northerners and supported their communities while in office and after leaving government.

The Obi camp challenged those behind the alleged campaign to provide names, dates, records and other verifiable evidence to substantiate claims that the former governor was hostile to Northerners.

It accused those spreading the allegations of relying on whispered accusations and political propaganda rather than evidence.

The media office maintained that Obi governed Anambra State for all residents regardless of ethnicity or religion and rejected attempts to portray his political outlook as anti-Northern.

It also described the timing of the alleged campaign as significant, coming as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

According to the statement, some political interests were allegedly resorting to ethnic narratives because they could not effectively challenge Obi on his competence, integrity and record in public service.

The media office consequently urged Northern voters to scrutinise political claims carefully and distinguish between verifiable facts and campaign propaganda.

“We urge our brothers and sisters in the North to seek facts, not rumours; evidence, not whispers; and policies, not propaganda,” the statement said.

The development comes as Obi seeks to broaden his political appeal ahead of the 2027 election. His camp has continued to emphasise a national political message and reject attempts to define his candidacy along ethnic or religious lines.

The latest controversy also highlights the political importance of Northern Nigeria, where presidential candidates are expected to compete strongly for votes as the 2027 contest gathers momentum.

Earlier in July, former Borno State governor and APC chieftain Ali Modu Sheriff had claimed that Northern voters would not support Obi in 2027, alleging that Obi had “chased all the Northerners out of Anambra State” while serving as governor. Obi’s camp has now rejected the broader narrative portraying him as anti-Northern and challenged those making such allegations to provide evidence.

The Obi Media Office warned that exploiting ethnic divisions for electoral advantage could deepen existing divisions in the country.

It therefore called on voters to focus on candidates’ records, policies and evidence when assessing political claims ahead of the election.

The office concluded that Nigeria’s political future should not be determined by rumours or ethnic suspicion, but by issues capable of addressing the country’s challenges and promoting national unity.