ABUJA — Commentator and social media analyst Hiikyaa Tor (@HiikyaaTor) has sparked fresh debate over regional politics after accusing Northern political elites of using religious sentiment to manipulate voters and discredit former presidential candidate Peter Obi.

In a widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter), Tor criticized the sudden shift in rhetoric surrounding Obi’s political realignments, particularly following his recent involvement with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Key Highlights of the Statement

Tor pointed out what he described as an inconsistent narrative deployed by political actors against opposition leaders depending on their party affiliations:

“When Peter Obi was in ADC he was not an enemy of the north, but the moment he went to NDC, all the attacks are on him as an enemy of the North. Our Northern leaders have failed us but are quick to use religion to separate us.”

Core Issues Raised

  COMMENTATOR:          Hiikyaa Tor (@HiikyaaTor)
  SUBJECT:              Peter Obi's political realignments and Northern political rhetoric
  MAIN ALLEGATION:      Political leaders weaponizing religion and regional identity to sow division
  POLITICAL CONTEXT:    Shifting alliances involving ADC, LP, and NDC ahead of future elections

• Selective Hostility: Tor argued that opposition figures are only targeted with ethno-religious labels when their political platforms pose a direct competitive threat to established interests.
• Failure of Leadership: The commentary called out Northern political leaders for focusing on identity politics rather than addressing socio-economic challenges, security concerns, and developmental deficits across the region.
• Exploitation of Religion: The statement highlighted a recurring pattern in Nigerian politics where ethno-religious fault lines are amplified to distract from governance failures.

Broader Political Context

The commentary comes amid ongoing debates over opposition coalition efforts and realignments ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. Critics and supporters alike continue to debate the impact of party switching on regional support bases, while commentators like Tor emphasize the need for issue-based politics over identity-driven campaigns.