Olufemi Aduwo, permanent representative of the Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity (CCDI) to the United Nations, has faulted Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, over remarks linking President Bola Tinubu’s alleged ethnic bias in appointments to the Yoruba ethnic group.
In a statement on Wednesday, Aduwo described Lawal’s comments as “deeply unjust” and “dangerously divisive,” insisting that grievances against the Tinubu administration should not be extended to an entire ethnic group.
“It is one thing to hold a political leader accountable; it is quite another to malign an entire ethnic group based on political grievances,” he said.
Aduwo argued that portraying the Yoruba as ungrateful to political allies or prone to excluding others was inaccurate and distorted Nigeria’s political history.
He cited the 1980 deportation case of Borno politician Abdurrahman Shugaba, when Yoruba leader Obafemi Awolowo instructed G.O.K. Ajayi, a senior advocate of Nigeria, to challenge the federal government’s action in court in the interest of justice.
Aduwo also pointed to former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s record of appointing northerners to key positions, and the absence of ethnic protests when the Yoruba had minimal representation during Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency.
He warned that conflating ethnic identity with political loyalty “poisons national discourse and threatens Nigeria’s fragile unity,” adding that criticism of Tinubu’s appointments should be directed at him as an individual, not the Yoruba collectively.
Aduwo dismissed claims that ordinary Yoruba people benefit from Tinubu’s appointments, saying they face the same economic challenges as other Nigerians.
“Inflation, insecurity and currency depreciation affect everyone — from traders in Ibadan to farmers in Kano,” he said.
He stressed the need for competence and inclusivity in public appointments, noting that positions should go to qualified and committed individuals, not those selected by “bloodline or birthplace”.
Aduwo urged Lawal to focus criticism on Tinubu’s government rather than generalising about the Yoruba, adding that Nigeria needs healing, not the recycling of ethnic grievances.
“The future of Nigeria lies not in ethnic blame games but in choosing competent, trustworthy leaders who can govern justly, for all Nigerians,” he added.