The recent anti-Yoruba remarks made by a Canadian woman of Igbo descent have been chriticised as extreme bigotry by the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.
Obi in his reaction emphasized that such divisive statements have no place in a civilized society and must be rejected by all.
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Obi expressed his dismay, stating, “I utterly condemn the reported hateful statement and actions attributed to a purported Igbo woman living in Canada against Yoruba or Benin people. Such divisive comments or behavior he said have no place in our society.
“As Nigerians, we should unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges, rather than allowing tribalism and hatred to tear us apart.”
He further questioned the purpose of tribal bigotry, asking, “What does tribal bigotry achieve? Does it lift people out of poverty? Does it reduce the cost of bread, rice, garri, or yam in the market? Does it improve our transportation system or enhance the electricity supply? Does it ensure good governance? The answer is a resounding NO!!”
Obi stressed the importance of prioritizing the nation’s progress over ethnic divisions. “Our priority should be to move Nigeria forward, regardless of tribe or ethnicity. We need leaders who have the competence and capability to move the country forward in the right direction and improve the lives of all citizens. We don’t care about the tribe of the plane’s pilot or the bus driver; all we need is competent leadership that delivers results.”
He urged Nigerians to focus on building a prosperous, united, and equitable nation. “Let us focus on what truly matters: building a prosperous, united, and equitable Nigeria for all. We must reject tribalism and embrace our shared humanity, working together towards a new Nigeria that is POssible!”