Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called for peace, unity and greater tolerance as he joined people around the world in remembering the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Obi made the call as the United States marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks, which claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people and left a lasting impact on global security and international relations.

In a message marking the anniversary, the former Anambra State governor paid tribute to those who lost their lives, as well as survivors, families of the victims and first responders who responded to the attacks.

He described the anniversary as an opportunity for the world to reflect on the devastating consequences of violence and hatred, stressing the need for societies to pursue peace rather than allow divisions to deepen.

Obi said the lessons of September 11 should remind humanity of the value of peaceful coexistence and the need to reject hatred, intolerance and violence in all forms.

He urged people to remember the victims not only through ceremonies but also by promoting values that can prevent similar tragedies and foster understanding among communities.

The 9/11 attacks occurred on September 11, 2001, when 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial aircraft. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York, another struck the Pentagon in Virginia, while a fourth crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew attempted to regain control of the aircraft. Nearly 3,000 people were killed.

The 25th anniversary was marked on Friday with remembrance ceremonies in New York, at the Pentagon and at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. At Ground Zero, victims’ names were read during the ceremony, while moments of silence were observed to mark key moments of the attacks.

The anniversary also featured renewed calls for unity and reflection, with several speakers highlighting the importance of remembering the victims while resisting hatred and division.

Obi’s message comes amid his continued advocacy for peaceful political participation and national unity in Nigeria, particularly as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that the best way to honour victims of tragedies is to build societies where peace, justice, tolerance and respect for human life are given greater priority.