The former presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have strongly condemned a disturbing threat made by a Nigerian woman living in Canada to poison people from the Yoruba and Benin ethnic groups.
The incident has sparked outrage across the nation, leading to calls for unity and legal action against the perpetrator.
The woman, identified as Amaka Patience Sunnberger, is based in Ontario, Canada, and hails from the South-East region of Nigeria. In a widely circulated video on social media, Sunnberger called for the killing of Yoruba people from the South-West and Benin people from Edo State by poisoning their food and water. Speaking in Pidgin English, she urged people of Igbo descent to harden their hearts and carry out this despicable act.
The video quickly drew widespread condemnation, with many Nigerians expressing shock and anger over the blatant incitement to violence. Among those who spoke out was former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who took to social media to denounce the video and its hateful message.
In his statement, Atiku emphasised the importance of national unity and condemned the threats in the strongest terms. “The contentious virtual chat room clip, wherein participants made threats of ethnic cleansing against the Yorubas and Benin people, is unequivocally condemned in all aspects,” Atiku wrote on his social media account.
He commended the swift response by the House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) for addressing the issue promptly and preventing further escalation.
Atiku also revealed that the identities of those involved in the video have been uncovered and that efforts are underway to ensure they face justice in Canada.
“I am informed that the identities of those involved have been disclosed and that calls have been made to the pertinent law enforcement agencies in Canada to prosecute the offenders,” he said.
Similarly, Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate and ex-Governor of Anambra State, expressed his outrage at the video. Obi, who is from the same South-East region as Sunnberger, distanced himself and the people of the region from her hateful rhetoric.
He condemned the incitement as un-Nigerian and called for unity among all ethnic groups in the country.
“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,” Obi stated in a series of posts on his social media accounts.
Obi highlighted the futility of tribal and religious bigotry, stressing that it does nothing to improve the country’s development or solve its numerous challenges.
He questioned what could be gained from such hatred, asking, “What does a nation achieve through tribal or religious bigotry? Does it contribute positively to development, by fixing our numerous health, education challenges, and pulling people out of poverty? Does it reduce the price of bread, rice, garri, or yam in the market?”
Obi urged Nigerians to focus on what truly matters – building a prosperous and united Nigeria. He emphasised that tribalism and religious division are counterproductive and called for a focus on good governance, integrity, and competence in leadership.
“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,” Obi added.
The House of Representatives formally called on the Canadian government to take legal action against Sunnberger. The lawmakers expressed their deep concern over the potential impact of such inflammatory rhetoric on Nigeria’s social fabric and the safety of its citizens.
NIDCOM, led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has also been in contact with Canadian authorities, urging them to take swift action against Sunnberger. The commission emphasised the need to prevent such individuals from spreading hatred and inciting violence, particularly in a country as ethnically diverse as Nigeria.
The incident has prompted a broader conversation about the dangers of ethnic division and the importance of national unity in Nigeria. With over 250 ethnic groups, Nigeria is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. However, this diversity has also been a source of tension and conflict, particularly during periods of political or economic instability.
“Our rich diversity is our most cherished national asset and must be vigilantly protected,” Atiku said, underlining the importance of embracing all ethnicities and working together to build a stronger nation.
Peter Obi echoed this sentiment, stating, “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!”
