Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, stated that the last general election demonstrated that Yorubas do not harbor hatred towards Igbos.
He emphasized that the election was not influenced by religious or ethnic biases.
Peter Obi expressed his observations that the 2023 general election brought Nigerians together regardless of tribe or religion, dispelling the misconception that Yorubas dislike Igbos.
During the ceremony where he received the 2024 Courageous Citizen Award from the Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy (NACJD) in Abuja, the former Anambra State governor highlighted the significant shift in attitudes as an indication of the Nigerian people’s desire for change.
“It was a time that 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.
“I am saying this to correct the impression that the Yorubas hate Igbo people. 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,” he said.
Peter Obi came third in the 2023 presidential election after trailing his counterpart from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar and the winner, President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Before the election, many Nigerian youths resonated with Obi’s beliefs and showed strong support for him. With a widespread following known as Obidient, Obi attracted supporters from all parts of Nigeria.
