Nigeria, June 8 -- In a statement, Obi said he had personally experienced being judged and labelled based solely on his ethnic background, adding that such experiences reflect a broader national challenge where Nigerians are often reduced to ethnic identities rather than being assessed on individual character.

He also noted that many citizens, including ordinary members of the Fulani community, are frequently subjected to unfair suspicion and stigma due to the actions of criminals with no legitimate link to their ethnic groups.

Citing global civil rights struggles, Obi referenced the advocacy of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who championed the principle that individuals should be judged by the content of their ch...