Former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on young Nigerians to resist divisive narratives and reject attempts to weaponise ethnicity, religion, and identity for political purposes.
In a message addressed to Nigerian youths, Obi reflected on lessons from the 2023 elections, particularly in Lagos, noting that public discussions gradually shifted from issues of governance, competence, and national development to ethnic and tribal sentiments.
According to him, many well-meaning citizens unknowingly became part of narratives designed to create suspicion and division among Nigerians.
Obi warned that politicians who struggle to compete based on ideas, performance, and vision often exploit ethnic and religious differences to gain political advantage, stressing that a divided population is easier to manipulate than a united one.
The former presidential candidate also expressed concern over what he described as renewed efforts to promote similar divisive narratives ahead of future political contests, urging Nigerians to critically examine information and verify claims before accepting them.
Obi praised Enoch Adeboye for his longstanding commitment to peace, prayer, reconciliation, and national unity, describing him as one of Nigeria’s foremost fathers of faith.
He argued that young Nigerians should not place on Adeboye the responsibility of driving national change, insisting that the task of building a better Nigeria belongs primarily to the younger generation.
Obi further urged citizens to avoid becoming instruments of division, saying the ultimate goal of those promoting hatred is to weaken national unity rather than target specific individuals.
He called on Nigerians to embrace unity, follow facts, resist manipulation, and work collectively towards building a better country.
“The Nigeria of our dreams can only be built by citizens who refuse to be divided, who choose unity over hatred, and who place our collective future above narrow interests,” Obi stated, reiterating his popular message that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
