Peter Obi: Hateful comments by Canada-based Nigerian have no place in our society

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has condemned the “hate speech” from Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian woman based in Canada.

In a viral TikTok clip, Sunnberger could be seemingly heard threatening to kill Nigerians from certain ethnic groups.

She also purportedly encouraged her audience to poison the food of persons from certain tribes.

The clip sparked outrage amid calls for her to face the consequences.

On Wednesday, the house of representatives committee on diaspora matters asked the Canadian government to prosecute Sunnberger for “hate speech”.

In a post on his X page, Obi, a former governor of Anambra, said Nigerians must “unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges, rather than allowing tribalism and hate to tear us apart”.

The former governor said tribal or religious bigotry cannot spur the country towards the path of positive development.

“I utterly condemn the reported hateful statement and actions attributed to a Nigerian woman living in Canada against other Nigerians of diverse origins. Such divisive comments or behaviour have no place in our society,” he said.

“As Nigerians, we should unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges, rather than allowing tribalism and hate to tear us apart. I have consistently stood against the polarisation of our country along tribal, religious or political lines.

“We, as Nigerians, must live together in peace and love, and ensure that we enthrone leaders based on integrity, competence, consistency, capacity, character and compassion, so as to overcome our present challenges and move the country forward in the right direction.

“Let us focus on what truly matters: building a prosperous, united, and equitable Nigeria for all. We must reject tribalism and religious division, and embrace our shared humanity, working together towards a new Nigeria that is POssible!”