Ethnic Loyalty Holding Back Yoruba Protests Against President Tinubu, Says NADECO Leader Lloyd Ukwu

Dr. Lloyd Ukwu, the President of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) USA Chapter, has shed light on the complex role of ethnic loyalty in the ongoing protests in Nigeria. In a recent statement reported by Vanguard, Ukwu highlighted the reluctance of the Yoruba community to protest against President Bola Tinubu, attributing this hesitation to deep-rooted ethnic solidarity.

Drawing a comparison with the #EndSARS protests during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Ukwu observed a similar pattern of regional loyalty influencing political engagement. He noted that, just as the North largely refrained from participating in the #EndSARS protests, the Yorubas are now showing a reluctance to oppose Tinubu, primarily because he is one of their own.

“Politicians in Nigeria have historically used two tools to hold the Nigerian people down, namely, ethnicity and religion,” Ukwu remarked. He explained that these tools are employed strategically, depending on the prevailing political circumstances. During Buhari’s tenure, for instance, the North’s reluctance to join the #EndSARS protests was attributed to these very factors. Now, according to Ukwu, the Yoruba community’s silence in the face of growing dissent against Tinubu can be understood through the same lens of ethnic and religious loyalty.

This insight into the dynamics of ethnic identity in Nigerian politics raises critical questions about the challenges of fostering national unity and accountability in governance. As Ukwu’s statements suggest, overcoming these deeply ingrained loyalties may be key to achieving more inclusive and effective political participation across the country.