Obi: 2023 Polls Proved Yoruba Don’t Hate Igbo

During the 2023 presidential primaries in Nigeria, Peter Obi, a former Anambra State governor and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), made a statement that the results of the last general elections proved that the Yoruba ethnic group did not harbor hatred towards the Igbo people.

The statement was made during a town hall meeting with the Diaspora Progressive Forum (DPF) in London on March 18, 2023. Obi emphasized that the outcome of the elections showed that ethnicity did not play a significant role in the voting patterns of Nigerians. He pointed to the strong support he received from various ethnic groups, including the Yoruba, during his campaign.

Obi's statement came amidst growing concerns about ethnic tensions and divisions in Nigeria, particularly between the Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups. These tensions have been fueled by historical events such as the civil war between 1967 and 1970 and more recent political developments.

However, the 2023 elections showed that many Nigerians voted based on candidates' competence and vision for the country rather than ethnic affiliations. For instance, Obi received significant support from the Southwest region, which is predominantly inhabited by the Yoruba people. In fact, he came second in the presidential election in Oyo State, which is the largest Yoruba state, with over 6 million voters.

Furthermore, other Yoruba politicians, such as Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), also received votes from various ethnic groups across Nigeria. This indicates that the electorate's decision-making process was not solely influenced by ethnic sentiments.

It is essential to note that while the elections showed that ethnicity did not play a decisive role in the voting patterns, there were still instances of ethnic tensions and violence during the elections. However, the overall trend suggests that Nigerians are increasingly looking beyond ethnic affiliations when making political choices.

In conclusion, Peter Obi's statement that the Yoruba did not hate the Igbo was based on the results of the 2023 elections, which showed that ethnicity did not significantly influence voting patterns. The strong support Obi received from various ethnic groups, including the Yoruba, is a testament to this trend. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that while ethnic tensions have lessened in some aspects, they still exist and need to be addressed to promote unity and peace in Nigeria.