- ordinary Fulani citizens who have no connection to criminal activities are increasingly subjected to suspicion
- Obi said the situation currently facing many Fulani people mirrors those experiences
- Obi said Nigeria can only progress when citizens are judged by their conduct, values, and integrity rather than their tribe
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to stop associating criminal acts with ethnic groups, warning that such generalisations deepen divisions and threaten national cohesion.
In a statement shared on his verified X account on Monday, Eko Hot Blog gathered that Obi said no ethnic group should be judged by the actions of a few individuals, stressing that criminality is not tied to any tribe or community.
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Reflecting on his personal experiences, the former governor of Anambra State said he had often faced stereotypes because of his Igbo background, noting that many Nigerians have similarly been unfairly defined by their ethnicity rather than their character.
Obi said the situation currently facing many Fulani people mirrors those experiences, as innocent members of the community are often blamed for crimes committed by a small number of offenders.
According to him, ordinary Fulani citizens who have no connection to criminal activities are increasingly subjected to suspicion and prejudice because of the actions of a few individuals.
Drawing a comparison with the civil rights struggle in the United States, Obi referenced Martin Luther King Jr. and his call for people to be evaluated based on their character rather than their background or identity.
He maintained that while Nigeria’s ethnic groups are known for their distinct cultures and contributions to national development, criminal behaviour should never be used to define an entire people.
Obi stressed that criminals should be treated as individuals responsible for their actions, regardless of ethnic affiliation, and should be identified, prosecuted, and punished according to the law.
He further appealed to Nigerians to reject ethnic profiling and collective blame, warning that such attitudes foster hatred and weaken efforts to build a united nation.
The former presidential candidate also encouraged citizens to embrace the country’s diversity and resist attempts by divisive interests to exploit ethnic differences for political gain.
Obi said Nigeria can only progress when citizens are judged by their conduct, values, and integrity rather than their tribe, religion, or place of origin, adding that a more united and inclusive nation remains achievable.
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