Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has cautioned Nigerians against associating crime with ethnicity, warning that such generalisations fuel division and threaten national cohesion.

In a statement shared via his verified X account on Monday, June 8, Obi expressed concern over what he described as a growing tendency to judge entire ethnic groups based on the actions of a few criminal elements.

The former Anambra State governor said ethnic stereotyping remains a challenge faced by many Nigerians and recalled his own experiences as an Igbo man.

“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,” Obi stated.

He particularly highlighted the plight of ordinary Fulani people, arguing that many are unfairly stigmatised because of crimes committed by individuals who do not represent the wider ethnic group.

“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.

Drawing parallels with the struggle for civil rights in the United States, Obi noted that discrimination based on identity has historically been challenged by advocates of equality and justice. He referenced the famous call by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. for people to be judged by the content of their character rather than their identity.

Obi maintained that criminality should be viewed as an individual act and not attributed to 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,” he said.

The former governor urged security agencies to focus on identifying, arresting and prosecuting offenders without linking their actions 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,” Obi added.

According to him, ethnic profiling deepens social divisions and creates opportunities for political actors to exploit differences among citizens.

He called on Nigerians to embrace the country's diversity and prioritise shared values over stereotypes.

“A new Nigeria must emerge—one where no citizen is condemned because of tribe, religion, or birthplace,” Obi said.