Recent revelations that former presidential candidate Peter Obi donated ₦540 million in charitable gifts between January and July 2025, with the South-East receiving a disproportionate share, have sparked intense debate.
Data from the artificial intelligence platform StatisSense disclosed that the South-East region collected ₦415 million of the total, raising accusations of regional favoritism.
The Donation Breakdown and Regional Imbalance
The numbers reveal a stark imbalance.
Anambra alone received ₦260 million, followed by Enugu with ₦120 million.
The remaining geopolitical zones shared the rest:
- South-East: ₦415 million
- North-West: ₦60 million
- North-Central: ₦60 million
- South-South: ₦35 million
- North-East: ₦6 million
The South-West region, notably, was excluded from receiving donations within this period.
Major beneficiaries in the South-East included educational and health institutions such as the College of Nursing Sciences.
Amichi (₦10 million), Paul University Awka (₦30 million), IHM Health System, Anambra (₦100 million), and Christ the King College, Onitsha (₦50 million).
Outside the South-East, institutions like Joseph D. Bagobiri Memorial College in Kafanchan.
Kubwa Anglican Comprehensive Secondary School & Hospital in Abuja.
And the University of Calabar’s Faculty of Dentistry also received support, but the amounts pale in comparison.
Yunusa Tanko’s Defense: Personal Philanthropy, Not Politics
Yunusa Tanko, a former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, defended Obi during an online debate.
He argued that these donations are personal gestures by Obi, not political strategies aimed at regional influence.
“These donations are personal, and they are on a continuous basis,” Tanko emphasized. “He has not stopped.
So don’t be surprised that eventually the donation may come from the North and supersede that of the South.”
Tanko challenged critics to present comparable donation data from other political figures.
“If there’s any other candidate who has done that in his personal capacity, they should bring us their data.
They should bring out their donation statistics on their own,” he said.
He maintained that Obi’s giving cuts across geopolitical zones and is not tied to any political campaign.
“These are all personal donations, and we are continuing. We have not stopped.
We are asking them to bring their donation that they’ve done, if there’s any,” Tanko added.
Criticism Mounts: Is Obi’s Focus Justified or Divisive
Despite Tanko’s defense, the controversy has ignited questions about fairness, regional bias.
The political implications of Obi’s philanthropy.
Critics argue that directing nearly 77% of donations to one geopolitical zone amid Nigeria’s fragile unity can deepen regional divisions, especially when other zones receive minimal support.
The exclusion of the South-West, a politically critical region, has raised eyebrows.
Prompting speculation about Obi’s intentions and whether these donations serve to consolidate regional loyalty ahead of possible political ambitions.
The Larger Picture: Philanthropy or Political Calculus
Observers acknowledge Obi’s sustained financial and physical contributions to education and healthcare institutions nationwide.
His donations, officially exceeding ₦540 million, may actually surpass ₦1 billion when factoring in equipment, relief materials, and unpublicized acts of giving.
Yet the timing and distribution pattern remain contentious.
The Transparency Challenge in Nigerian Politics
Tanko’s call for transparency spotlights a broader issue in Nigerian political philanthropy.
Few political figures publicly account for personal donations.
Leaving voters and analysts in the dark about how much is given, where, and with what motives.
If donors like Obi are transparent with their philanthropy.
The challenge now extends to others: Will Nigeria’s political leaders submit their giving records for public scrutiny?
Until then, accusations of bias and political manipulation will persist.
A Controversy Reflecting Nigeria’s Regional Tensions
Yunusa Tanko’s defense frames these acts as ongoing personal philanthropy not political favoritism but critics remain unconvinced.
At a time when Nigeria grapples with calls for national unity and inclusive governance, such disparities in charitable giving risk exacerbating regional divides.
The pressure is mounting for all political actors to practice transparency and fairness that transcend ethnic and regional loyalties.
