- Peter Obi condemned Amaka Sunnberger’s threat to the lives of Nigerians in Canada
- He advised that Nigerians shun tribalism and focus on more important issues
- Nigerians criticise him for terming Sunnberger’s threats a hateful statement
The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has come under fire on social media for terming Sunnberger’s threats to the life of Nigerians in Canada a hateful statement.
Two days after the Igbo woman who threatened the lives of Yoruba and Edo people in Canada surfaced on the internet, Peter Obi condemned the woman’s actions in a post on his X account, @PeterObi.
He said Nigerians should unite and focus on addressing our challenges and not allow tribalism and hate to tear us apart.
He posted: “I utterly condemn the reported hateful statement and actions attributed to a Nigerian woman living in Canada against other Nigerians of diverse origins. Such divisive comments or behaviour have no place in our society.
“As Nigerians, we should unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges, rather than allowing tribalism and hate to tear us apart. I have consistently stood against the polarisation of our country along tribal, religious or political lines.
“What does a nation achieve through tribal or religious bigotry? Does it contribute positively to development, by fixing our numerous health, education challenges, and pulling people out of poverty? Does it reduce the price of bread, rice, garri or yam in the market?
“We, as Nigerians, must live together in peace and love, and ensure that we enthrone leaders based on integrity, competence, consistency, capacity, character and compassion, so as to overcome our present challenges and move the country forward in the right direction.
“Let us focus on what truly matters: building a prosperous, united, and equitable Nigeria for all. We must reject tribalism and religious division, and embrace our shared humanity, working together towards a new Nigeria that is POssible! -PO.”
Many Nigerians have expressed their disappointment in the politician because according to them, he took his time before condemning the woman’s words and actions. Some Nigerians also said he deliberately left out the woman’s tribe and name in his post as opposed to how he usually condemns issues like this.
Meanwhile, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar condemned Sunnberger’s threats in a post on his X account, @atiku on Thursday, August 29.
He commended the House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission for promptly addressing the matter.
Nigerians react to Peter Obi’s post about Sunnberger
Some Nigerians pointed out that he belittled the woman’s threat by calling it a hateful statement meanwhile he termed the “Igbo must go” speech as genocidal threats against Igbo. Netizens have called him a hypocrite for this.
Here are some of the comments:
@bigdan_27 posted: “I swear on my life you’re not a worthy leader. I pity those that can’t read between the lines, the former nah genocidal threat, the latter nah hateful statements and actions.”
@papichulo4224 posted: “Yoruba politicians and elders should start taking notes on how ibo politicians shield 🛡️ their own people, if it was a Yoruba man that said the same, his full name and address would have been posted. The game is on, Yoruba politicians if you like don’t prioritize your people!!!”
@topgee992 posted: “You know what you're doing and everyone dey observe. It's just funny that some will not accept their biases, this is so funny to read.”
@Waspapping_ posted: “To address bigotry on Twitter, begin by calling out your Igbo influencers, who often enable and spread it. Turning a blind eye to their behavior and only reacting when your own people are on the receiving end doesn’t reflect well on you.”
@Iretomiwa_ireni posted: “"Let's Kpai all Yorubas and Benin People - "hateful statement attributed to a Nigerian woman againts other Nigerians” "Ibos should leave Lagos" - "genocidal threats against Igbos" Never trust a man in black cloth.”
@Udochimarabel posted: “I regret wasting my votes on you in the last presidential election. I regret my action since the day I saw you with @UchePOkoye An Igbo woman is encouraging us to poison Yorubas and Benin and you somehow found a way to sugarcoat your comments?”
@VisionNetwork01 posted: “#igbomustgo is a genocide statement against the igbos. An ibo woman called for the poisoning of Yoruba obi called it hateful statement. If u don't understand Politics in Nigeria as a Yoruba then you would be destroy. Be conservative. Think Yoruba first.”
@kayodeCF posted: “I don't know why people are acting surprised. This man attended the wedding ceremony of Uche, the number one bigot of Nairaland. His campaign team was lopsided in favor of people. There's nothing he does that will surprise me.”
@MindGameMo posted: “Your one sided pattern of condemnation will make your presidency difficult to be achieved in a secular nation like Nigeria. Nothing like True Nigerianism in you Mr. Obi.”
@Gasbytweet posted: “This mad man used “other Nigerians of diverse origins here” just to prove the point we've always made about him that he's a bigot and a tribalistic pig.”
@Famous84281804 posted: “Omo this man is a very dangerous and corny man o. See the way he tactically avoided mentioning the women's name and the tribes she threatened to poison because she is igbo 🤦♀️”
Peter Obi threatens legal action against Tinubu’s aide Onanuga over alleged defamation
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, threatened to sue the Special Adviser to the President on Communications and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, for defamation while demanding N5 billion in damages.
It all started when Bayo Onanuga claimed that Peter Obi should be held responsible for the planned nationwide protest in a post on X.