Phrases such “the interests of the Yoruba nation” or “Igbo interest” are common in Nigerian political commentary. Last week Afenifere, described as the “Pan-Yoruba socio-political group”, said in a statement that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo “is working against the interest of the Yoruba”. The statement was signed by Reuben Fasoranti, Ayo Adebanjo, Olu Falae and Femi Okurounmi.

The alleged Yoruba “interest” that Osinbajo was working against according to Afenifere was “the restructuring of the country and that he never spoke against the killing of Yoruba people in their farms by Fulani herdsmen”. But the issue of “restructuring” is one that has support among many Nigerians across the ethnic divide. Fulani herdsmen-related violence has affected communities all over Nigeria. So why is this being used to peddle something called “interest of the Yoruba”? Additionally, the four signatories to the above statement have not indicated where they asked the Yoruba for their opinion. They just appointed themselves spokesmen for their people and couldn’t be bothered with the niceties of asking the people what they think. This is quite instructive about the little regard they have for the people they claim to speak for.

Many other so-called ethnicity-based socio-political groups operate in the same manner of telling their people what is good for them. Ohanaeze claims to speak for Igbos, aims to “protect Igbo interests” and loftily declared in 2017 that they would only support a presidential candidate that “has the interests of Igbos at heart”. The separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have criticised Ohanaeze for the “betrayal of Igbo interests”. But very few have a coherent definition of what “Igbo interests” are.

More: https://www.naijiant.com/articles/there-is-no-such-thing-as-igbo-interest-yoruba-interest-or-fulani-interest/

Naijiant:

More: https://www.naijiant.com/articles/there-is-no-such-thing-as-igbo-interest-yoruba-interest-or-fulani-interest/

hmmmm