Don’t let politicians weaponise ethnicity, religion, Obi urges youth
Peter Obi
Abdullateef Fowewe
NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has appealed to young Nigerians to resist efforts by some politicians to shift public debate from competence and ideas to ethnic, religious, and tribal fault lines.
Obi in a statement on Thursday claimed the trend became especially visible after the 2023 Lagos elections.
“One lesson from the 2023 elections, particularly in Lagos, should never be forgotten,” Obi wrote, warning that conversations about governance and the nation’s future were “gradually diverted towards tribal sentiments, ethnic divisions, and unnecessary suspicion among citizens.”
He added that whenever politicians cannot compete on performance or vision, “some resort to exploiting the fault lines of ethnicity, religion, and identity.”
Defending Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Obi described him as “one of the foremost fathers of faith in our nation,” praising decades of advocacy for “peace, prayer, love, reconciliation, and national unity.”
He argued it is unfair to burden an 84‑year‑old with responsibilities that belong to younger Nigerians.
“The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation,” he added.
Obi urged youths to question and verify narratives, avoid being recruited into hatred, and prioritise facts and unity over identity politics.
“Do not allow anyone to weaponise your ethnicity, your faith, or your admiration for respected leaders,” he wrote, calling for citizens who “refuse to be divided” to lead the country toward the “New Nigeria” he envisions.
