Obi warns against ethnic profiling, says crime should not be linked to any tribe
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has cautioned Nigerians against associating criminal behaviour with any ethnic group, insisting that crime should be treated strictly as an individual offence.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said ethnic stereotyping has remained a persistent challenge in Nigeria, warning that it undermines unity and fuels mistrust among citizens.
He noted that many Nigerians have at various times faced discrimination based solely on their ethnic identity, adding that such experiences are not limited to any one group.
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“As an Igbo man, I have endured stereotypes, judgment, and labelling solely based on my ethnic origins,” he said. “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.”
Obi also acknowledged the difficulties faced by ordinary Fulani citizens, stressing that many are unfairly judged because of the actions of criminal elements who do not represent them.
“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 said.
He emphasized that criminal acts such as kidnapping, terrorism, and theft should be addressed as personal crimes, not ethnic identities.
“Crime has no ethnicity. 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 said.
The former Anambra State governor further urged security agencies to ensure that offenders are individually identified, arrested, and prosecuted according to the law, without generalising their actions to entire communities.
He warned that blaming ethnic groups for the actions of a few individuals is dangerous and counterproductive, saying it fuels division and weakens national cohesion.
Obi also called on Nigerians to embrace diversity and resist stereotypes, adding that the country’s strength lies in its cultural plurality.
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He concluded by calling for a united nation where individuals are judged by their character rather than ethnicity, religion, or place of origin, stressing the need for a “new Nigeria” built on justice, respect, and shared hope.
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