Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has mourned the death of Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who died at the age of 90 after a lifetime defined by courage, mercy and uncommon humanity.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Obi described the late cleric as a rare symbol of unity who rose above religious and ethnic divisions to protect lives during violent attacks in the area.
According to Obi, Imam Abdullahi famously sheltered 262 Christians in his home and mosque during a deadly Plateau attack, a selfless act that placed human life above sectarian considerations.
“I learned of the death of Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, a man whose life exemplified our shared humanity,” Obi wrote. “Nigeria honors a soul who rose above hatred and division by opening his home and mosque to save lives in times of need.”
The former Anambra State governor noted that the cleric’s actions represented the true meaning of faith, stressing that moral courage and the protection of human dignity remain its highest expressions.
“He reminded us that the truest expression of faith is the protection of human dignity,” Obi stated.
While acknowledging the grief surrounding the imam’s passing, Obi urged Nigerians to celebrate his life rather than dwell solely on his death, describing his legacy as a lesson for a deeply divided nation.
“While many may choose to mourn Abubakar, I believe it is more fitting to celebrate him,” he said. “He transformed his life into a powerful lesson, showing us that we are strongest when we recognize one another first as human beings, regardless of religion or tribe.”
Obi further described the late imam as a model of leadership rooted in compassion, particularly at a time when religion is often manipulated to fuel violence and division.
“We honor this great soul because he understood that true leadership is not found in the exercise of power but in the exercise of mercy,” Obi noted. “At a time when the shadows of division loomed large due to the abuse of our faith, he stood as a beacon of light.”
Highlighting the imam’s example, Obi said his life reaffirmed the core values of Islam as a religion of peace and protection for the vulnerable.
“He reminded us that the core of Islam is peace and the protection of the vulnerable,” he added.
Obi concluded his tribute with prayers for the late cleric and a call for a more compassionate Nigeria, inspired by Imam Abdullahi’s life of sacrifice.
“May Allah grant us the vision to create the new Nigeria of our dreams, where leadership is based on competence, capacity, and compassion,” he wrote. “May his soul find eternal peace in the Gardens of Jannah, and may we carry forward the torch of radical compassion.”