Peter Obi has urged Nigerians to stop linking criminal behaviour to ethnic identity, warning that such generalisations undermine justice and deepen national divisions.
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, Obi said the growing tendency to associate crimes with entire communities is both unfair and dangerous to social stability.
He said he has personally experienced ethnic stereotyping and noted that many Nigerians face similar treatment regardless of their background.
“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 said.
Obi specifically referenced perceptions surrounding the Fulani community, stressing that ordinary members are often unfairly judged for crimes committed by individuals 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 maintained that criminal acts should be treated strictly as individual responsibility, not as a reflection of any ethnic group.
“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,” Obi stated.
The former presidential candidate also called on security agencies to focus on identifying and prosecuting offenders without attaching collective blame to communities.
“They must be identified, arrested, and punished according to the law. We must decisively abandon the dangerous practice of blaming entire ethnic groups for the actions of a few criminals,” he added.
He warned that ethnic profiling only worsens division and creates room for manipulation in public discourse.
According to him, national unity depends on rejecting stereotypes and treating all citizens equally regardless of tribe, religion, or background.
