₦airaland Forum

Lagos Is Playing with Fire — And Tinubu Must Put It Out

By Babafemi Ojudu

A troubling trend is unfolding in Lagos State. In the aftermath of the recent local government elections, some newly elected officials have embarked on a reckless spree of renaming streets—particularly those bearing Igbo names or named after prominent non-indigenes. This is not coincidental; it is a calculated political maneuver rooted in resentment, identity politics, and shortsighted leadership.

The long-simmering tension between Yoruba and Igbo communities reached a boiling point during the 2023 elections. Peter Obi of the Labour Party shocked the political establishment by defeating Bola Ahmed Tinubu—Lagos’s long-reigning political figure—in the presidential poll within the state. That upset sent shockwaves through the ruling APC, and fears grew that a similar surprise might unfold in the governorship race. What followed was an aggressive, divisive campaign that shamelessly weaponized ethnicity, fear, and misinformation.

Wild accusations flew: that the Igbo had “bought up” Lagos, “taken over” the economy, and were scheming to seize political power. These narratives were dangerous—and not entirely new. But while they didn’t arise in a vacuum, they have been irresponsibly amplified.

It’s true that some individuals within the Igbo community, in asserting cultural pride, have crossed into political overreach—not just in Nigeria but abroad. A recent example is an Igbo man in Ghana who purchased large tracts of land and declared himself a king, sparking fears—justified or not—of secessionist ambitions in host communities. Similarly, the proliferation of self-styled “Eze Ndi Igbo” (Igbo kings) across non-Igbo regions can be perceived as provocative, especially when seen as parallel authority structures. While these acts may stem from pride and cultural identity, they can easily be exploited by opportunistic politicians to sow fear and division.

But make no mistake: these isolated actions do not justify collective punishment or cultural erasure.

Lagos was built by many hands—Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Urhobo, Tapa, and more. Its strength lies in its diversity. To target any group—especially one so deeply embedded in the city’s economy and social fabric—is not just morally wrong; it is politically suicidal.

Rather than stoking ethnic division, Lagos leaders should focus on the real threats to the city: youth unemployment, drug addiction, urban decay, traffic congestion, and collapsing infrastructure. These are the issues threatening Lagos’s future—not the names on its street signs.

What makes this ethnic posturing even more shortsighted is the broader national context. Discontent is rising across Nigeria. The economy is reeling, inflation is crushing households, and insecurity remains rampant. As the 2027 elections approach, the ruling APC is grappling with waning public trust. Alienating a significant Southern demographic—the Igbo—while Northern political elites express growing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s leadership is a dangerous gamble.

Just recently, Northern heavyweight Rabiu Kwankwaso declared that the North feels marginalized under Tinubu’s presidency and may not support his re-election. If the North grows distant and the Southeast is antagonized, where will the support come from? This trend risks isolating the South West politically—and that isolation will not bode well for the Yoruba, both at home and in the diaspora.

This is where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must rise above the fray. He cannot afford to allow partisan loyalty or ethnic sentiment to blind him to the growing danger of ethnic polarization. Left unchecked, it could spiral into something far more sinister—even ethnic cleansing. Nigeria is too fragile for such a descent.

The President must initiate a process of reconciliation. He should reach out to Igbo leaders—both at home and abroad—to promote moderation and mutual respect. Online abuse and reckless insults, such as referring to revered Yoruba figures like Wole Soyinka in derogatory terms, must cease. I was stunned to read a young Igbo man referring to Soyinka as a “gbajue professor.” Such incivility wounds the national psyche and deepens mistrust.

At the same time, Tinubu must speak frankly to Yoruba communities—especially indigenes of Lagos. Being a host comes with responsibility, not superiority. You cannot sell your land willingly, spend the proceeds on indulgent lifestyles, and then resent those who invested and built on that land. You cannot eat your cake and still have it. If you admire the success of others, emulate their work ethic and community spirit—don’t scapegoat them.

Meanwhile, fault lines are cracking elsewhere. In the North, Muslim-Christian tensions are rising. The once-cohesive Fulani-Hausa alliance is showing strain. In the South, Yoruba-Igbo relations are fraying. In the Niger Delta, some groups are rejecting the inclusion of Igbos in the Biafra narrative. Even among the Yoruba, there is growing resentment against the idea of “giving everything to Lagos,” while some Lagosians disparage non-indigenous Yoruba (“ara oke”) who’ve found success in the city.

Nigeria is a house divided—and unless urgent steps are taken, it may not stand much longer. The crisis in Rivers State has stirred new waves of resentment in the Niger Delta. Everywhere, identity-based fault lines are deepening.

President Tinubu must not be complacent. If Nigeria fractures, history will not remember his economic policies or political victories. It will remember that the house collapsed under his watch.

The task before him is urgent and non-transferable: call your boys to order, heal old wounds, unite the nation, and rise above petty politics. This is not a job for committees or proxies. Only bold, visionary leadership can pull Nigeria back from the brink.

The window is closing. Now is the time to act.

• Ojudu is a former Senator, journalist, political scientist,

The few reasonable ones are beginning to speak up....the Yoruba nation must not allow decision making to be in the hands of political miscreants that thrives only in chaos,to determine the trajectory of the Yoruba nation.

Babafemi Ojudu is a true omoluabi, the others can only wish to be like him but they have failed woefully

A rational take.

I don't understand why some black people will complain of experiencing racism in the White man's land but then display the most depraved forms of tribalistic and ethnical barbarism in their native lands.

What else can I say.

This is a master piece.

Great respect.

make we see if this will make front page. Their antics are despicable and it must backfire

This one has been saying nonsense for a while now.

Those street renaming, which names are they bearing before?

giacomogiovanni:
A rational take.

I don't understand why some black people will complain of experiencing racism in the White man's land but then display the most depraved forms of tribalistic and ethnical barbarism in their native lands.

Most black communities practice false sense of superiority.
They don't understand the importance of value system.

Always speak about culture without weighing it economic implications.

Until a culture embrace innovation, it is bound to remain stagnant, impoverished and then when it cannot go further begin to blame colonial masters.

That's Africa in a nutshell.

They can't make a sentence without blaming the West.

Tinubu did not start this, he is also a target of abuse and insults from the same folks.
Brother Femi has bought into the funny narrative that some people sold their land for "indulgent lifestyle" and that Lagosians should emulate hardwork!
Seriously?

Seyi must contest for the next governorship of lagos state. He must continue the work his father started.

helinues:
This one has been saying nonsense for a while now.

Those street renaming, which names are they bearing before?

Seyi for lagos governor. He must contest

giacomogiovanni:
A rational take.

I don't understand why some black people will complain of experiencing racism in the White man's land but then display the most depraved forms of tribalistic and ethnical barbarism in their native lands.

Tribalism some how has been part of African society,despite the obvious denial but what is particularly suprising in the present surge in tribalism in Nigeria,is because the ego of a god father was bursted in the last elections,he was demystified,they people of Lagos stood their ground,they made a statement,they said no to corruption,no to intimidation,no to promotion of touting and reckless use of power.
However,after the whole episode and the flawed elections,they out come now is to elevate tribalism to state and national levels,now state actors are the ones sponsoring tribalism and from their body language...the briefing from the top is clear.

Streetinvestor2:
Seyi for lagos governor. He must contest

Stop derailing threads. You are not a baby to be spoon fed about that

OLAADEGBU:
She also claimed Sowore was attempting to erase indigenous Lagos history by suggesting Lagos belongs to all Nigerians.

“Some irresponsible Yoruba people claim Lagos belongs to everyone. That is an insult and an assault on us whose ancestors own the land,” she wrote, warning: “We hereby caution and warn those who think they can continue to spit on Lagos heritage to beware of the wrath of our ancestors and at the fullness of time, we shall challenge them BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY.”

This is it.


Ojudu is the one playing with fire after losing favour from Asiwaju Tinubu. He was one of the few who switched sides from the Asiwaju Tinubu camp to work for Prof Osinbajo who contested the APC primaries against Asiwaju and they lost. He is still in sifia pains.

Nobody in Lagos will take him serious. He is the second Ekiti man( first was Falana) looking for serious trouble from true Lagosians who have called his type irresponsible. In fact, if he recieves the tongue lashing in Yoruba ehn, he will think twice before insulting true Lagosians again.

No true Lagosian will take chances with 2027 elections after Lagos was almost denied of representation in 2023 by those who in a coordinated manner , cunningly, moved their polling units to Lagos in order to determine and supplant the political leaders in Lagos.

Lagos will not cheat anyone and Lagos will not allow anyone cheat us.

FreeStuffsNG:
This is it.


Ojudu is the one playing with fire after losing favour from Asiwaju Tinubu. He was one of them who worked for Prof Osinbajo to contest the APC primaries against Asiwaju.

Nobody in Lagos will take him serious. He is the second Ekiti man looking for serious trouble from true Lagosians.

Very funny, Ojudu the hunter, has now become the hunted.

favor914:
Very funny, Ojudu the hunter, has now become the hunted.

You are confusing him with Mr Bayọ Ọnanuga. He was sent into political oblivion. He should enjoy his retirement in his Ekiti homeland.

FreeStuffsNG:
This is it.


Ojudu is the one playing with fire after losing favour from Asiwaju Tinubu. He was one of them who worked for Prof Osinbajo to contest the APC primaries against Asiwaju and they lost.

Nobody in Lagos will take him serious. He is the second Ekiti man looking for serious trouble from true Lagosians who have called his type irresponsible. In fact, if he recieves the tongue lashing in Yoruba ehn, he will think twice before insulting true Lagosians.

Learn how to attend to messages and not the messenger.Who did this to you guys?so unconsciously blind.

THERE IS NO FIRE ANY WHERE TO BE AFRAID OF!!!

We should all stop this HYPOCRISY abeg! The same people who were Jubilating when the Chairman that won Fubara's Kangaroo LG election renamed the Obio/Akpor Secretariat from Wike to another name of his choice, this same people are crying today because Charley Boy bus stop is renamed to Badoo lol. These people were hoping that even Wike's properties would be burnt down just like they did with Tinubu's in Lagos. But God Almighty dey always put them to shame again and again and again.

Baba femi ojudu have spoken well like a true nationalist.

All these nuisance behavior by political and area miscreants in South West will never yield good results.

Think about it, soon tinubu will definitely leave office, another tribe will take over how will it be if the new sheriff allows his people to behave likewise

Ojudu really fall hand, I swear, now I know 2 Yoruba who is blessed by Lagos yet denied Lagos at the critical time.

First was Aregbesola, now is Ojudu

Irony of this is that most people stoking this ethnic fire are not from Lagos. Gawat family is from Igbaja, Kwara. Same as Ajetunmobi, because they were born in Lagos Island they lay claim to non existence origin. They should go and read what caused first World War.

helinues:
This one has been saying nonsense for a while now.

Those street renaming, which names are they bearing before?

stop being incoherent and stay on topic..else look fora job

Lobatan

The people that are opposing this senseless street renaming are kuku their fellow yorubas with a working brain.

We are pleased

..people greater than Babafemi..has spoken before...it doesn't change the tribalism coming from that quaters..

..ojudu..hold your breath..tilumbu supporters..with his Lagos Kitchen houseboys..will continue sowimg the seeds öf tribalism, bigotry, hatred & nepotism against those they love to hate & envy..

..save your cries Mr femi Ojudu..& have peace..

A pure sentimental and emotional journalism to protect the Lagos economy at the expense of other regions,there are no deals renaming streets in Lagos who cares,what is needed now is true federalism from resources,religion,political and what have you. This same journalist,senator,politician and the bla bla wrote about removal of fuel subsidies since then has anything changed.

FreeStuffsNG:
This is it.


Ojudu is the one playing with fire after losing favour from Asiwaju Tinubu. He was one of the few who switched sides from the Asiwaju Tinubu camp to work for Prof Osinbajo who contested the APC primaries against Asiwaju and they lost. He is still in sifia pains.

Nobody in Lagos will take him serious. He is the second Ekiti man( first was Falana) looking for serious trouble from true Lagosians who have called his type irresponsible. In fact, if he recieves the tongue lashing in Yoruba ehn, he will think twice before insulting true Lagosians again.

No true Lagosian will take chances with 2027 elections after Lagos was almost denied of representation in 2023 by those who in a coordinated manner , cunningly, moved their polling units to Lagos in order to determine and supplant the political leaders in Lagos.

Lagos will not cheat anyone and Lagos will not allow anyone cheat us.

Are you even from Lagos, the answer is capital NO, why are you people leaving Osun, Ibadan, Ekiti, Ondo and Ogun states to drag Lagos with the true indigenous people of Lagos, what happened to your state?

What an irony! When Joe Igbokwe talks, they abuse him but when others like Ojudu or Dele Rotimi talks, they call them reasonable among Yorubas. They are so blind to see that the same way they see Igbokwe as Efulelu, the same way Yorubas alos see Dele Rotimi, Ojudu and their likes and that is how it will continue. The way Igbokwe is to some Igbos is the same way Dele and Ojudu to Yorubas.

Rather than stoking ethnic division, Lagos leaders should focus on the real threats to the city: youth unemployment, drug addiction, urban decay, traffic congestion, and collapsing infrastructure. These are the issues threatening Lagos’s future—not the names on its street signs.