The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, , has urged Nigerians to stop linking criminal activities to ethnic groups, saying such attitudes create division and weaken national unity.
In a statement shared through his verified X account on Monday, Obi said it was wrong to judge entire communities because of the actions of a few individuals involved in crime.
According to him, criminal behaviour should be treated as a personal act and not used to label a whole tribe or ethnic group.
The former Anambra State governor said he understands the pain caused by ethnic stereotypes, noting that he has experienced situations where people judged him because of his Igbo background rather than his personal character.
He stated that many Nigerians from different ethnic groups have faced similar treatment at various times.
Obi also said many Fulani people are currently facing unfair judgement because of crimes committed by a small number of individuals who do not represent the larger community.
He maintained that ordinary members of the ethnic group should not be blamed for actions they neither support nor participate in.
Drawing a comparison with the civil rights struggle in the United States, Obi referred to the campaign led by , which fought against discrimination and encouraged people to be judged by their character rather than their background or identity.
He said Nigeria's ethnic groups are known for their cultures, traditions, talents and contributions to national development, adding that criminality should never be attached to any tribe.
According to him, those who commit crimes should be identified and dealt with under the law as individuals rather than representatives of their ethnic communities.
Obi stressed that kidnappers, terrorists, thieves and other criminals should be treated as offenders on their own, without creating negative labels for millions of innocent people who share the same ethnic background.
He warned that collective blame and ethnic profiling can deepen mistrust among citizens and make it harder to build a peaceful and united country.
He added that such practices often create hatred and provide opportunities for people seeking to exploit ethnic differences for personal or political gain.
The politician called on Nigerians to appreciate the country's diversity and focus on values such as justice, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
He said citizens should be judged by their conduct and integrity rather than their tribe, religion or place of birth.
Obi expressed hope that Nigeria can become a nation where fairness prevails and where people are valued for who they are instead of being judged based on ethnic identity.
He added that while Nigerians can remain proud of their cultural roots, they should also work together toward a more united and prosperous future.
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