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Yoruba Group Decries ‘Ethnic Harassment’ Of LASU Lecturer Over Facebook Marriage Post, Alleges South-East Domineering Agenda

June 1, 2025
NEWS

A prominent Yoruba socio-cultural group, Igbimo Omo Yoruba, has raised alarm over what it described as a disturbing wave of ethnic intolerance and cyberbullying targeting Dr. Adeyinka Olarinmoye, a lecturer at Lagos State University (LASU), following her Facebook post expressing a preference for her children to marry within the Yoruba ethnic group.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its convener, Adedamola Adetayo, the group condemned the online attacks against Dr. Olarinmoye—popularly known as Iyalode Adeyinka Bello—accusing a “new generation of Ibo people” of orchestrating what it called a “coordinated campaign of ethnic harassment and media mobbing.”

The controversy began on Wednesday, May 21, when Dr. Olarinmoye reacted to Afrobeat singer Davido’s comments about his Igbo ancestry by writing on her Facebook page: "I would ensure my kids marry Yoruba."

While her supporters described the statement as innocuous, critics online swiftly accused her of ethnic bias.

According to Igbimo Omo Yoruba, the backlash intensified when her words were allegedly misrepresented as: "An Ibo man marrying my daughters cannot happen at all."

The group claimed this distortion fuelled an online smear campaign marked by insults, threats, and attempts to damage her professional reputation.

“These attacks are not only unjust but deeply calculated to emotionally and psychologically damage Dr. Olarinmoye,” Adetayo stated.

“We will rise to defend her rights and by extension, the rights of all Yoruba people to freely express themselves.”

The group further alleged that the smear campaign was politically motivated, linking it to Dr. Olarinmoye’s past criticism of the Obidient Movement and her support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

It claimed the attacks were orchestrated by individuals sympathetic to the Labour Party and its presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi.

Igbo o Omo Yoruba also made broader accusations, alleging an ongoing “Zionist agenda” by unnamed Igbo individuals to politically and culturally dominate Lagos and other parts of Yorubaland.

It warned that continued provocation would not be tolerated, promising a “swift and far-reaching” response if any harm came to Dr. Olarinmoye or other Yoruba citizens.

The group called on Yoruba state governments and traditional leaders to take proactive measures to protect their people from cyber harassment and what they described as “cultural encroachment.”

Dr. Olarinmoye, who has reported the matter to security agencies, has yet to make a public statement since the incident went viral.

Cyberbullying and the manipulation of online narratives remain major concerns in Nigeria’s digital space, especially as ethnic and political tensions continue to flare in the aftermath of recent national elections.Nigerian cultural tours

Under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, cyberstalking and online harassment are criminal offences punishable under Nigerian law.

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The controversy began on Wednesday, May 21, when Dr. Olarinmoye reacted to Afrobeat singer Davido’s comments about his Igbo ancestry by writing on her Facebook page: "I would ensure my kids marry Yoruba.”

Una don remember say Nigeria get Constitution and laws? Dey play. She took her self to the cleaners, so they must do justice to her.

But if I see her, I will also asked her, "if oyingbo man wants to marry her daughter or her son wants to marry oyingbo girl, she go giri?"

OLAADEGBU:
The controversy began on Wednesday, May 21, when Dr. Olarinmoye reacted to Afrobeat singer Davido’s comments about his Igbo ancestry by writing on her Facebook page: "I would ensure my kids marry Yoruba.”

Lagos state should introduce catchment area disparity in school fees from primary to university, it will even improve the IGR more.
Some people are moving their people en-mass to Lagos because of almost free education