The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has insisted that President Bola Tinubu does not believe in one Nigeria despite occupying the highest political seat in the country.

Obi recalled how Tinubu once said that he doesn’t believe in the unity of the country.

Recall that Tinubu in an interview with ThisDay in April 1997, said, “I don’t believe in one Nigeria.”

During the military regime, Tinubu was an active member of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, a prominent pro-democracy group.

The group which was formed in on May 15, 1994, fought against military dictatorship and ensured the restoration of civilian rule.

Upon the return of civilian rule in 1999, Tinubu became the governor of Lagos State.

Speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, Obi said: “Today we have a President who said he doesn’t believe in one Nigeria but he is sitting as the President. I believe in Nigeria. Yes Tinubu said he doesn’t believe in one Nigeria but I believe in one Nigeria, I’m committed to it and I want that unity.

“This is him saying it, I didn’t say that but you can’t hold what happened when I was barely three or four years old against me, it’s in the past and there are other things that happened subsequently.”

The Plateau State Government has disclosed that the death toll from the diphtheria outbreak in the state has risen to 27, while 303 cases have been recorded so far.

The state’s Chief Epidemiologist, Dr Maren Damulak, who disclosed the figures while briefing newsmen in Jos on Thursday, said the previous death toll was 23 but had risen to 27 following the deaths of two parents on Wednesday.

He added that the number of suspected cases had also risen sharply from about 149 to 303, with Jos North Local Government Area, particularly the Rikkos community, identified as the most affected area.

“As of today, the cases have increased from 149 to 303. The death toll has also increased from 23 to 27. Jos North has the highest number of cases. 99% of the cases are in Jos North,” Damulak said.

He emphasised that most of those affected were people who had not received the diphtheria vaccine, particularly children whose parents did not take advantage of the government’s free vaccination window.

He, however, assured that the state government was doing everything possible to contain the outbreak, including the temporary closure of all primary and secondary schools following the detection of suspected cases in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase Local Government Areas.

The measure, Damulak said, was aimed at reducing transmission among students and school staff while health authorities strengthen surveillance and response activities.

“In Jos North, the local government council has deployed additional logistics, including motorcycles, to enhance contact tracing, field surveillance and community outreach, while Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has directed the immediate mobilisation of drugs and other medical commodities to health facilities to combat the disease,” he added.