Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged Nigerians to resist the growing tendency to associate criminality with any particular ethnic group, warning that such narratives threaten the country’s fragile unity.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said no ethnic community, including the Fulani, should be collectively condemned for the actions of a few criminal elements.
He stressed that many Nigerians have, at different times, faced prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination because of their ethnic identity, describing such attitudes as dangerous to national cohesion.
“The crimes of individuals must never become the burden of an entire ethnic group,” Obi said, calling on Nigerians to uphold justice based on individual responsibility rather than collective blame.
He warned that ethnic profiling only deepens mistrust, fuels division and undermines efforts to build a peaceful and inclusive nation.
Obi reiterated the need for security agencies to pursue criminals decisively while ensuring innocent citizens are protected from stigmatisation based on their ethnicity, religion or place of origin.
His remarks come amid renewed debates over insecurity and the rising use of ethnic narratives in discussions surrounding violent crimes across Nigeria.
