Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has defended Pastor Enoch Adeboye against recent criticisms over his alleged role in the cancellation of a planned protest, warning Nigerians against narratives that could deepen ethnic and social divisions.
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Thursday, Obi said Nigerians must learn from the experiences of the 2023 elections, particularly in Lagos, where political discourse shifted from issues of governance and competence to ethnic and tribal sentiments.
According to him, conversations that should have focused on development and the future of the country were diverted into divisive debates that weakened national cohesion.
“Throughout history, whenever politicians find it difficult to compete on ideas, performance, character, or vision, some resort to exploiting the fault lines of ethnicity, religion, and identity,” Obi said.
He warned that similar tactics were beginning to re-emerge ahead of future political contests, with narratives being deliberately amplified to create suspicion and division among citizens.
The former Anambra governor said many people unknowingly become participants in campaigns designed to pit Nigerians against one another.
Addressing criticisms directed at Adeboye, Obi described the cleric as one of the nation’s foremost religious leaders whose message over the decades has consistently centred on peace, prayer, reconciliation and national unity.
“Let me state clearly that Pastor Enoch Adeboye remains one of the foremost fathers of faith in our nation. For decades, he has consistently preached the virtues of peace, prayer, love, reconciliation, and national unity,” he stated.
Obi added that even in the face of criticism and provocation, Adeboye had continued to respond with “humility, restraint, wisdom, and grace.”
The former presidential candidate argued that younger Nigerians should not place the burden of solving the country’s challenges on elderly leaders, stressing that responsibility for driving reforms and national development rests largely with the younger generation.
“At 84 years of age, it would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them,” he said.
Obi urged citizens, particularly young people, to be vigilant against attempts to manipulate them through ethnic, religious or identity-based narratives.
“I therefore urge all young Nigerians: do not allow anyone to recruit you into hatred. Question every narrative. Verify every claim. Follow the facts. Resist manipulation,” he said.
He maintained that Nigeria’s progress depends on citizens choosing unity over division and placing the country’s collective future above narrow interests.
