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Tag: Ethnic groups

  • Obi Warns Against Ethnic Profiling, Defends Fulani Community

    The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns over what he described as growing ethnic profiling targeting the Fulani community and other ethnic groups in Nigeria.

    Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, where he said Nigerians must stop linking crime to ethnicity.

    Obi Speaks on Ethnic Stereotyping

    The former Anambra State governor said he has personally experienced stereotypes and labelling because of his Igbo identity, adding that many Nigerians face similar treatment.

    According to him, such experiences show a wider national problem where individuals are judged based on ethnicity rather than personal conduct.

    He also expressed concern about the unfair treatment of ordinary Fulani people who are often associated with crimes they have no connection to.

    “Crime Has No Ethnicity”

    Obi stressed that criminals should be identified by their actions and not their ethnic backgrounds.

    “A thief is a thief, a terrorist is a terrorist, and a kidnapper is a kidnapper,” he said, adding that offenders must be held accountable under the law regardless of origin.

    He argued that every ethnic group in Nigeria has its own culture and contributions, warning that crime should never be generalised or attributed to entire communities.

    Reference to Global Civil Rights Struggles

    Drawing comparisons with the civil rights movement in the United States, Obi referenced Martin Luther King Jr.’s call for people to be judged based on character rather than race.

    He said Nigeria must embrace similar values of fairness, justice and mutual respect to strengthen national unity.

    Call for National Unity

    Obi urged Nigerians to reject narratives that promote ethnic blame, warning that such attitudes deepen division and weaken social cohesion.

    He called for greater appreciation of Nigeria’s diversity and renewed commitment to justice and national integration.

    The statement has added to ongoing conversations around insecurity, ethnic relations and national unity in the country.

  • Concerned Fulani Group Rejects US Narrative Linking Ethnic Group to Nigeria’s Insecurity

    The Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria has called on international actors, including the United States, to avoid portraying the Fulani ethnic group as the primary driver of insecurity in Nigeria, warning that such narratives could worsen ethnic tensions and deepen mistrust across communities.

    The group made the appeal in a statement signed by Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado, where it criticised what it described as inconsistent external reporting on Nigeria’s security challenges and rejected attempts to generalise criminal activity to an entire ethnic group.

    Group Faults External Security Narratives

    According to the statement, recent international commentary and reports linking Fulani communities to widespread violence and banditry were misleading and dangerous.

    The group argued that earlier assessments had cautioned against ethnic profiling, insisting that newer narratives appeared to contradict those positions and risk inflaming divisions.

    It also referenced past national debates during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, when Fulani identity was frequently associated with insecurity discussions, noting that such framing allegedly led to attacks on settlements and loss of property in some communities.

    Claims of Historical and Regional Context

    The group maintained that many Fulani families in states such as Benue, Plateau, and Taraba have lived in those areas for generations and should not be treated as outsiders or automatically linked to criminal activity.

    It stressed that conflicts involving herders and farmers are often driven by complex factors, including land use disputes, environmental pressures, and local political tensions, rather than ethnicity alone.

    The statement also dismissed reports attributed to international organisations that allegedly referenced “Fulani militants,” describing such claims as unfair stereotyping that could escalate existing tensions.

    Insecurity Not Linked to One Group, Says Statement

    The group insisted that Nigeria’s insecurity landscape is multi-layered and involves different actors, including bandit groups, terrorist organisations, separatist movements, and communal clashes across various regions.

    It argued that no single ethnic or religious group should be held responsible for the country’s broader security challenges.

    Call for Responsible Reporting and Unity

    The statement urged international partners and Nigerian authorities to prioritise evidence-based reporting and avoid narratives that could undermine national cohesion.

    It warned that ethnic scapegoating and divisive framing would only deepen mistrust at a time when stronger unity is needed to address insecurity.

    The group concluded that Nigeria’s stability depends on fairness in reporting and a collective commitment to national integration rather than ethnic blame.