The National Democratic Congress flagbearer, Peter Obi, has warned Nigerian youths against ethnic and religious divisions, urging them not to be used to promote narratives that undermine national unity. As reported by The Punch, the statement comes amid intense online criticism directed at the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, regarding his stance on national security.
Social media actors have aggressively targeted the octogenarian cleric, demanding that he lead public demonstrations against governance failures, while circulating old images to imply political bias. Obi defended the religious leader, describing him as a father of faith who has spent decades promoting peaceful reconciliation, and emphasized that it is unfair for able-bodied youths to deflect their civic duties onto an 84-year-old citizen.
The former presidential candidate cautioned that whenever political actors find it difficult to compete purely on performance, vision, or character, they quickly weaponize social fault lines. He urged the younger generation to learn from past electoral cycles where critical conversations regarding development and administrative competence were deliberately derailed by tribal agendas.
Validating the development, Vanguard newspaper documented the extensive message, confirming that Obi warned citizens against “narratives that are planted, amplified, and circulated to weaken the bonds that hold us together.” Concurrently, an on-air report by Nigeria Info FM noted that the politician urged youths to “verify every claim and resist political manipulation,” stressing that the task of driving institutional reforms rests on the shoulders of the populace, not religious figures.
Echotitbits take:
Obi’s public defense of Pastor Adeboye is a strategic move to de-escalate growing friction between religious institutions and frustrated young citizens. By redirecting the accountability spotlight back to the political class and civic participation, he is trying to keep public attention fixed on governance rather than religious arguments. This development highlights how digital platforms are increasingly becoming a battleground for identity politics ahead of upcoming political seasons.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/obi-defends-pastor-adeboye-warns-against-ethnic-division/, June 4, 2026
Photo credit: Arise
