A video shared by a woman recounting remarks allegedly made by a Nigerian police officer while travelling on public transport has sparked widespread reactions online.
In the clip, the officer is heard saying: “Peter Obi can never become president, Igbo can never become president. They should kick him out of the presidential race and leave Tinubu and Atiku. Even if he wins, we and our oga will take money and make sure he doesn’t enter Aso Rock.”
The video, posted on Instagram by the account @nporter.ng, shows the woman describing the conversation that took place during the journey. The post has drawn hundreds of comments, with many users condemning the remarks as tribalistic and unbecoming of a law enforcement officer.
Commenters expressed frustration over the comments, describing them as evidence of deep-seated bias. Some questioned the professionalism of the police, while others linked the statements to broader concerns about ethnic politics in Nigeria. A number of users also noted the irony that ordinary citizens, including police officers, could potentially benefit from policies associated with the politician being targeted.
As of Sunday, there has been no official response from the Nigeria Police Force regarding the video or the identity of the officer involved. The force has previously stated that it does not condone tribalism or political bias among its personnel.
The incident adds to ongoing public discussions about ethnic sentiments and the conduct of security agents in the lead-up to future elections. Peter Obi, the former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has repeatedly called for national unity and competence-based leadership.
The full video continues to circulate on social media platforms, amplifying debates on tribalism and professionalism within Nigeria’s security agencies.
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