Banditry: “Let us stop stereotyping ethnic groups,” Obi appeals

The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has cautioned against what he described as the media’s tendency to frame crime along ethnic lines, calling the practice divisive, unfair, and detrimental to national unity.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Monday morning, the former Governor of Anambra State said:

“As an Igbo man, I have endured stereotypes, prejudice, and labelling solely because of my ethnic origin.

“This is not an experience unique to the Igbo. Most Nigerians have, at one time or another, been reduced to their ethnicity rather than judged by the content of their character. I understand the pain of the ordinary Fulani man today, who is often unfairly judged by the actions of criminals he neither supports nor knows, and who do not represent his people.

“Even in the United States, such unjust labelling helped fuel the civil rights movement and inspired Martin Luther King Jr. to proclaim that people should be judged not by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.

“Every Nigerian ethnic group is known for its unique traditions, occupations, talents, and contributions. Crime, however, has no ethnicity.

“A thief is a thief. A terrorist is a terrorist. A kidnapper is a kidnapper. These are criminals, not representatives of any ethnic group. They must be identified, arrested, prosecuted, and punished in accordance with the law.

“We must decisively reject 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 cohesion.

“Let us celebrate the richness of our diverse cultures, talents, and contributions rather than fall prey to stereotypes and prejudices that divisive interests exploit for political gain.

“A New Nigeria must be one in which no citizen is condemned because of tribe, religion, or place of birth. We can cherish our cultural identities while remaining united by justice, mutual respect, and a shared hope for a better future.