Police Officer Sparks Outrage Over Alleged Ethnic Remarks Against Peter Obi

A yet-to-be-identified officer of the Nigeria Police Force has sparked controversy after a video emerged showing him allegedly making derogatory and ethnically charged remarks about Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi.

In the video circulating on social media, the officer is heard making claims about Obi’s chances of becoming President and linking the former Anambra State governor’s political prospects to his Igbo identity. Reports on the video have not independently established the officer’s identity, rank or current posting.

The officer allegedly said an Igbo person could not become Nigeria’s president and suggested that Obi should be excluded from the 2027 presidential contest.

He also made comments about Obi’s age and claimed that even if the NDC candidate won the election, he would not be allowed to assume office. These claims were made by the officer in the video and have not been independently substantiated.

The officer further described the 2027 presidential contest as a race between President Bola Tinubu and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Atiku Abubakar, while calling for Obi to be removed from the contest.

Among the remarks attributed to him were claims that “Igbo can never become Nigerian President” and that no Igbo man or woman could occupy the presidency.

The video has attracted attention because the speaker appears to be a serving police officer, raising questions about political neutrality and conduct within the security services.

The Nigeria Police Force has previously said officers should remain accountable while clarifying that citizens may record police officers performing their duties in public, although the Force has cautioned against misuse of such footage.

As of Wednesday, the identity of the officer in the latest video and whether the Nigeria Police Force has opened an investigation into the remarks had not been independently established by the reports reviewed.

The development comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi has been campaigning as the NDC presidential candidate, while Tinubu and Atiku are also preparing for the presidential contest.