Obi Reveals Painful Truth About How He Is Treated Because He Is Igbo

Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has called for an end to the practice of associating criminal activity with specific ethnic groups, describing it as harmful, unfair, and deeply divisive.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement posted on his X handle, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate said that media narratives and public commentary that link crimes to particular ethnicities promote prejudice and widen national divisions.

He noted that he has personally experienced ethnic stereotyping as an Igbo man, where individuals are often judged based on their background rather than their character. According to him, such experiences are not unique to any one group, as many Nigerians are frequently reduced to ethnic labels instead of being seen as individuals.

Obi also pointed out that many innocent Fulani people face similar treatment, often being unfairly associated with the actions of criminals they neither know nor support.

Drawing from global civil rights history, he referenced struggles against identity-based discrimination, emphasizing the need for people to be judged by their character rather than their ethnicity or physical identity.

He stressed that criminal acts should never be attributed to any ethnic group, insisting that offenders should be treated strictly as individuals and held accountable under the law.

“As an Igbo man, I have endured stereotypes, judgment, and labelling solely based on my ethnic origins. This is not an isolated Igbo experience. Most Nigerians have, at some point, been reduced to their ethnicity rather than recognised for their true character,” he wrote.

“I understand the pain of the ordinary Fulani man today, often unfairly judged by the actions of criminals he does not support, has never met, and who are not representative of his people,” he added.

He further referenced the American civil rights movement, noting Martin Luther King Jr.’s advocacy that individuals should be judged by the content of their character rather than the colour of their skin.

Obi emphasized that while Nigeria’s ethnic groups each have distinct cultures, occupations, and strengths, crime itself has no ethnic identity.

“A thief is a thief. A terrorist is a terrorist. A kidnapper is a kidnapper. They are bad actors, not representatives of any people,” he stated.

He urged Nigerians to reject the tendency to blame entire ethnic groups for the actions of a few individuals, describing it as unjust and damaging to national unity.

Obi also encouraged Nigerians to celebrate cultural diversity and national contributions instead of embracing stereotypes that, according to him, are often exploited for political or divisive purposes.

He concluded by calling for a united Nigeria where no citizen is judged by tribe, religion, or place of origin, but by justice, mutual respect, and shared hope for the future.