Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has sparked nationwide controversy after declaring that Nigeria belongs only to the Hausa and Yoruba ethnic groups.
In the viral video, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose challenged Nigeria’s long-standing political narrative that the country’s unity rests on the tripod of Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. He argued that the Igbos have been deliberately marginalized and excluded from the nation’s power structure.
“They said Nigeria belongs to Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, but that’s a lie… take out that Igbo, stop including them because it’s a lie,” Fayose declared. He pointed out that since 1999, no Igbo has been elected president or vice president, and efforts at self-determination have been met with hostility. “Even when they said they want to separate they were not granted, if they mention Biafra they are tagged terrorist and yet we said Nigeria is made of WASOBIA,” he said.
Fayose also referenced the 2023 presidential election, where Labour Party candidate Peter Obi secured widespread support but was, according to him, unfairly undermined. “Even Peter Obi that tried, acquiring large vote all of sudden his vote shrink and they tell am go to court in a country where there is no justice,” he added.
He concluded by stating that Nigeria’s political system is fundamentally unequal, alleging that any Igbo candidate who contests for high office will always be subjected to blackmail.
Others, however, agreed with his statement, describing it as “an honest truth” about Nigeria’s politics.
Netizens Reactions…
@olaoluwasunnyman reacted: “Honest truth.”
@chefnoka said: “History will never forget you, brother. I’m not Igbo, but I love the way you speak and stand for the truth. We need it to move this nation forward.”
@newbilliy commented: “I’m Yoruba but an Igbo President will make Nigeria great. I love Igbo people and their business mindset.”
@beautyjunctiongh wrote: “God bless you, my brother, for saying the truth.”
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@benedictoguama asked: “Where is Jonathan from?”
@daveiyke_donnegro stated: “@isaacfayoseoriginal_ God bless you Sir for speaking the truth. I wish other Nigerians can shun tribalism and unite for the progress of Nigeria. Tribalism us a tool against Nigerians and the unity of Nigeria. Politicians have weaponized tribalism which enables them thrive in continued political and socioeconomic incompetence.”
@realtundr4 added: “I agree with what you said, sir, but look at it, does igbo really have d right candidate? Obi is just chameleon to me he’s not real, neither do they have the leadership experience as our current president @officialasiwajubat, the one and only politician that have ever created more millionaires and successful individual in the whole nation. Make we leave hatred, JAGABAN na baba.”
@wellingtonisgreat commented: “@wellingtonisgreat said: “Nigeria belongs to everybody not hausa, yoruba, igbo, Benin have not been president before let us go? You dey talk anyhow.”
@richeart4u said: “Those that have been president, were they given free or charge? Was there a law that stopped Igbo man from being a president? How do people become a president? Or do you mean Igbo have never been allowed to contest for presidency? Same things goes to women too, why are women not hugely represented in all positions even presidency? No one is stopping anyone from becoming anything, you just have to change your strategy and alignment. You can’t be doing same thing over the years and not get the desired result and still want to stick to that failed pattern to achieve a new result. Igbo people and their candidate must be encompassing. Hausa has been aligning more to Igbo people to get whatever position they wanted and why are they not returning the favour hugely? Align to anyone that can boost your change of winning and be well accommodating and understanding the power of choices and politicking. I might be wrong 0000. Na ma small knowledge I take respond oooo.”
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