Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged young Nigerians to resist divisive political narratives, warning that ethnic and religious sentiments are being weaponised to weaken national unity.
In a statement posted on his X account, Obi said the period following the 2023 presidential election—particularly in Lagos—offered a critical lesson that must not be forgotten, noting that public discourse was deliberately shifted away from issues of “competence, governance, development, and the future of our nation” toward tribal and ethnic divisions.
According to him, “many sincere and well-meaning Nigerians participated in these conversations without realising that they were being drawn into narratives carefully designed by others.”
He cautioned that history has repeatedly shown how politicians who struggle to compete on ideas, performance, or vision often resort to exploiting identity fault lines. “Their calculation is simple: a divided people are easier to manipulate than a united people,” he stated.
Obi warned that similar patterns were re-emerging in more subtle forms, where narratives are “planted, amplified, and circulated” by individuals who may not fully understand the broader agenda behind them.
Addressing recent tensions linked to religious figures, Obi defended the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, describing him as “one of the foremost fathers of faith in our nation” who has consistently preached peace, unity, and reconciliation.
He added that at 84 years old, it would be unfair to shift responsibilities of nation-building onto elder statesmen, stressing that “the task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation.”
Obi further urged young Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid being used as instruments of division. “Do not allow anyone to recruit you into hatred. Do not allow anyone to weaponise your ethnicity, your faith, or your admiration for respected leaders,” he warned.
He encouraged citizens to always “question every narrative, verify every claim, follow the facts, and resist manipulation,” insisting that Nigeria’s progress depends on unity over hatred and collective purpose over narrow interests.
