Crime Has No Ethnicity, Peter Obi Condemns Ethnic Profiling of Fulani
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned against the tendency to associate criminal activities with specific ethnic groups, saying such generalisations deepen divisions and weaken national unity.
In a statement shared on his verified X handle on Monday, Obi expressed concern over what he described as the increasing habit of stereotyping entire communities based on the actions of a few individuals.
The former Anambra State governor said he could relate to Nigerians who have suffered prejudice due to their ethnic identity, stressing that such profiling was unfair and unhelpful.
“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 also defended ordinary Fulani people, noting that many are wrongly judged because of the actions of criminals they have no connection with.
“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 stated.
Citing the U.S. civil rights movement, Obi said struggles against discrimination have long emphasised the importance of judging people by their character rather than their background.
He referenced Martin Luther King Jr., who advocated for equality and fairness in the treatment of all individuals regardless of identity.
According to him, criminal acts should be treated as individual offences rather than being linked to ethnic groups.
“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 said.
He called on security agencies to focus on identifying, arresting, and prosecuting offenders without attaching their crimes to entire 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.
Obi further warned that ethnic profiling only fuels division and gives room for political actors to exploit differences among Nigerians.
He urged citizens to embrace unity, celebrate diversity, and prioritise shared national values over ethnic stereotypes.
“A new Nigeria must emerge—one where no citizen is condemned because of tribe, religion, or birthplace,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
