Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to stop associating criminal activities with entire ethnic groups, stressing that crime is an individual act and should not be used to stigmatise communities.
Obi made the call in a statement issued on Monday titled “Media Framing of Crime Along Ethnic Lines: Divisive,” in which he condemned what he described as the growing trend of linking criminal behaviour to ethnic identities.
The former Anambra State governor said judging people based on their ethnic background rather than their character fuels division and undermines national unity.
Drawing from his personal experience, Obi noted that he had faced stereotypes and prejudice because of his Igbo identity, adding that such experiences are not unique to any particular ethnic group.
“As an Igbo man, I have endured stereotypes, judgment and labelling solely because of my ethnic origin. 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 said.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the unfair profiling of ordinary Fulani people for crimes committed by a few individuals.
According to Obi, many law-abiding members of the Fulani community are often wrongly blamed for actions they neither support nor participate in.
“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 do not represent his people,” he stated.
Obi emphasised that criminals should be identified and prosecuted as individuals, regardless of their ethnic or religious background.
“Crime has no ethnicity. A thief is a thief. A terrorist is a terrorist. A kidnapper is a kidnapper. They are criminals, not representatives of any people. They must be identified, arrested, prosecuted and punished according to the law,” he said.
The former governor referenced historical struggles against discrimination, noting that similar experiences inspired calls for people to be judged by their actions and character rather than by their identity.
He warned that ethnic profiling and collective blame only deepen divisions and weaken efforts to build a united nation.
“We must decisively abandon the dangerous practice of blaming entire ethnic groups for the actions of a few criminals. It is unjust, it breeds hatred and it undermines our national unity,” Obi added.
Calling for greater understanding among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups, he urged citizens to embrace tolerance, mutual respect and shared values.
“A new Nigeria must emerge—one where no citizen is condemned because of tribe, religion or place of birth. We can cherish our cultural roots while standing united by justice, mutual respect and hope for a better future,” he said.
Obi expressed confidence that Nigerians can build a more inclusive society where individuals are judged by their conduct rather than their ethnic identity.
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