TD Fact: Mr Peter Obi’s recent interview with Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television continues to generate debate, particularly over the ethnic dimension which the host introduced during the conversation.
It is unfortunate that one of the most persistent debates around Mr Peter Obi’s presidential aspiration has very little to do with his ideas, his record or his vision for Nigeria.
Instead, it repeatedly circles back to one question: his ethnicity. Some insist that his supporters should avoid presenting him as an Igbo candidate.
Others argue that doing so amounts to apologising for who he is.
Lost in this endless argument is a simple truth that ought to unite every sincere Nigerian.
Peter Obi is Igbo. That is an indisputable fact. He is equally Nigerian. Neither identity diminishes the other.
Just as no Nigerian should be expected to deny or minimise their ethnic origin before seeking public office, no Nigerian should be excused merely by that identity when their competence, experience and character deserve scrutiny.
Ethnicity is a fact of birth. Leadership is a matter of ability.
The mistake, therefore, is not in acknowledging that Peter Obi is Igbo.
The mistake is in assuming that being Igbo should either qualify or disqualify him from the presidency. Nigeria has paid dearly for that mindset.
Every election season, many citizens become prisoners of ethnic calculations while the real questions about governance, accountability and national development receive less attention than they deserve.
Supporters of Peter Obi should never apologise for his ethnicity. There is nothing to apologise for.
Neither, however, should ethnicity become the principal argument for his presidency.
His strongest credentials lie in his record, his administrative experience, his character, his integrity, values and vision for Nigeria.
Those are the issues that deserve national debate.
Nigeria will not become a better country simply because an Igbo man, a Hausa man, a Fulani man, a Yoruba man or any other Nigerian occupies Aso Rock.
It will become better when the occupant of that office governs with competence, justice, discipline and fairness to every citizen.
That is the standard that should matter.
For too long, ethnicity has been used as both a weapon and a shield in Nigerian politics.
It has divided citizens who share the same hopes while protecting leaders who have failed to deliver. It is time to reject that politics without denying our identities.
We can proudly acknowledge where we come from while insisting that where Nigeria is going matters far more.
Peter Obi himself has repeatedly said, “Do not support me because I am Igbo. Support me because you believe I am capable.”
By “capable”, he speaks of capacity, character, competence and compassion. That does not diminish his pride in his Igbo heritage.
Rather, it reflects his conviction that the New Nigeria he envisions can only be built when merit rises above prejudice.
Nigeria needs a politics where identity is respected but competence is the decider.
Until we reach that point, we shall continue to debate the accident of birth instead of the quality of leadership.
PO is Igbo. He is Nigerian. He is a Christian. None of those identities requires an apology.
What Nigeria requires is leadership founded on competence, character and justice. That is the conversation the nation should be having.
A New Nigeria is POssible.
This is POEM, PO Express Media.
We report. We analyse. We project. No noise. No spin. No propaganda. No slander. Just facts. Stay with the truth.
