- Peter Obi Defends Adeboye, Warns Against Ethnic, Religious Politics
- Former governor defended Pastor Adeboye amid online criticism.
- Obi urged young Nigerians to lead reforms and national change.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has cautioned Nigerian youths against allowing themselves to be divided along ethnic and religious lines, warning that such divisions only serve the interests of politicians seeking to manipulate public opinion.
Obi made the appeal in a post on his X account on Thursday amid growing social media debates surrounding the worsening security situation in the country and criticisms directed at the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the controversy followed calls by some Nigerians for Adeboye to publicly condemn the security challenges facing the country or lead protests against the Federal Government. The calls were fuelled by a viral photograph that allegedly showed the cleric participating in a demonstration against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
However, the RCCG later dismissed the claim, explaining that the image was taken during a peaceful walk organised under the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari and was not connected to any political protest.
Reacting to the development, Obi said the 2023 general elections, particularly in Lagos State, demonstrated how conversations about governance and development could easily be diverted into ethnic and identity-based debates.
According to him, politicians who are unable to compete based on ideas, vision, performance and character often resort to exploiting existing social divisions.
“Throughout history, whenever politicians find it difficult to compete on ideas, performance, character, or vision, some resort to exploiting the fault lines of ethnicity, religion, and identity. Their calculation is simple: a divided people are easier to manipulate than a united people.
“Today, I see similar efforts emerging again, sometimes in more subtle and sophisticated ways. Narratives are planted, amplified, and circulated, often by individuals who genuinely believe they are defending a worthy cause, without recognising the broader agenda behind such campaigns,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor warned that many Nigerians unknowingly become part of such narratives without understanding the larger objectives behind them.
Obi also defended Adeboye, describing him as one of Nigeria’s most respected religious leaders who has consistently promoted peace, unity and reconciliation throughout his ministry.
“Let me state clearly that Pastor Enoch Adeboye remains one of the foremost fathers of faith in our nation. For decades, he has consistently preached the virtues of peace, prayer, love, reconciliation, and national unity. Even when faced with provocation, his response has always reflected humility, restraint, wisdom, and grace,” he said.
The former governor argued that it would be unfair to place the burden of leading national protests or political movements on the 84-year-old cleric, insisting that younger Nigerians should take responsibility for driving change in the country.
“At 84 years of age, it would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them.
“The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation. It is their duty to lead the conversations, champion the reforms, and drive the positive change our nation urgently requires,” Obi added.
He further urged Nigerians to critically examine information before sharing it and to resist attempts to manipulate public opinion through divisive narratives.
“The Nigeria of our dreams can only be built by citizens who refuse to be divided, who choose unity over hatred, and who place our collective future above narrow interests,” he stated.
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