Peter Obi has urged Nigerians not to allow “desperate” politicians to divide them along religious and ethnic lines, especially during the election period.
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, made the appeal on Saturday after receiving the 2024 Courageous Citizen Award at an event organised in Abuja by the Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy.
Peter Obi, who was represented by Valentine Ozigbo, a Labour Party governorship aspirant in Anambra, emphasised that the massive turnout of voters at the 2023 general elections was proof that the people are tired of the old order and a new Nigeria is possible.
“It was a time when Nigerians united and spoke with one voice, regardless of tribe, tongue, or religion.
“The 2023 election wasn’t a Christian or Igbo project. It was a Nigerian project. I saw our legends and elder statesmen come together for the first time.
“I was glad to see people like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and others stand their ground.
Peter Obi Urges Unity In Diversity
“This is to correct the impression that the Yorubas hate Igbo people.
There is nothing like that. Too many people from different ethnicities thronged the pit to show their support.
A lot of people made certain sacrifices because we just wanted to say, ‘Enough is enough’ in Nigeria.
Imagine those who had lost their lives for the cause of a new Nigeria.
‘I am happy one of such families is represented here today. These are unsung heroes.
“And so I want to plead with you not to ever allow politicians to divide you by saying, ‘This person is not from our tribe or practices our religion.
Those days are gone. This is why we are also here today: we need to keep encouraging ourselves.
“A Greek philosopher once classified people into three categories. He described the first category as idiots.
Also Read: 2027 Election: Atiku Reveals Only Way To Step Down For Peter Obi
”The idiots are those who are selfish and self-centred. Everything they do is just about them alone at the detriment of others.”.
Chibok Girls: A Decade After 91 Girls Still Missing
