₦airaland Forum

Imo Incident: Why Igbos Must Reflect Before Condemning Seyi Tinubu and Those Who Hosted Him- Ugboma Stephen

The recent events in Imo State involving the “City Boy Movement” have generated heated debate across Nigeria. Videos and reactions circulating online show that Seyi Tinubu, son of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, faced hostility during a visit connected with youth mobilization activities.

As an Igbo man, I must honestly say that I strongly condemn any act that humiliates a visitor, especially someone who has family ties with our land. In Igbo culture, respect for visitors and in-laws is not optional — it is part of our identity.

When a man marries from your land, he becomes part of your extended family. This is why many people believe the situation should have been handled with greater maturity.

Let us put ourselves in his shoes. If your father is the president of a country and you are campaigning or mobilizing support for his political agenda, would it not be normal to visit your in-laws and engage with people in that region? If he had stayed away, critics would still have raised another complaint.

This is also why some of the criticisms directed at business figures like Obi Cubana, Cubana Chief Priest, and Zenco should be reconsidered. Many people forget that relationships, loyalty, and personal networks often influence decisions in politics and business.

If many of us were in their position — being close to someone connected to the highest office in the country — we might not act very differently. Opportunities and relationships often shape choices.

However, what should concern us more is how quickly political disagreements can turn into hostility among our own people.

Politics is not war. Elections come and go, but relationships remain.

It is also important for respected Igbo institutions, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to speak clearly whenever incidents arise that may affect the reputation and unity of our people.

Most importantly, we must remember the dignity of our own daughter who is married into that family. Respecting her home is also part of respecting our own.

Nigeria is a diverse country where political opinions will always differ. But our cultural values of respect, hospitality, and dialogue should never be abandoned because of politics.

The lesson from this incident should not be division, but reflection.

Let us disagree politically without losing our sense of dignity and cultural responsibility.

— Ugboma Stephen

There is absolutely nothing for tilumbu and his family to come and do in the entire south east that will be of benefit to them in the coming elections

Let them take their movements and go elsewhere to save their time and money

Who looted the palliatives? City Boys supporters or a mob? That's where to start this conversation.

I don't see how a mob will overpower the armed security operatives at the venue and loot the palliatives without them shooting people. City Boys couldn't manage their own event.

We are in a democracy, and people are free to support any political party.

However, using derogatory language against your own ethnic group to gain favor is unacceptable. Listen to some speeches that day,it's clear that some individuals prioritize personal gain over tribal loyalty.

It's very common among SE people in APC, unlike other regions.

They should support whoever they wish without disparaging their own people.

I am igbo and I want seyi Tinubu to be the next Lagos state governor.We have nothing against him

I actually agree with part of what you said. Nigeria is a democracy and everyone has the right to support any political party they believe in.

However, the real issue is balance and fairness.

Yes, nobody should use derogatory language against their own ethnic group simply to gain political favor. That is wrong and should be condemned anywhere it happens.

But we must also be honest with ourselves: political choices should not automatically be interpreted as betrayal of one's people.

Across Nigeria, people align with different parties for many reasons — ideology, personal relationships, opportunities, or belief in a particular leader. That does not automatically mean they hate their tribe or want to undermine it.

The bigger problem in Nigeria is that we often reduce every political decision to tribal loyalty. When someone supports a different political platform, they are immediately branded a traitor.

Ironically, this same mindset is what has limited political influence in some regions. Politics is about building alliances and negotiating interests, not isolating ourselves.

If someone from the South-East chooses to support APC, Labour Party, PDP, or any other platform, that is their democratic right. The important thing is that they should do so respectfully without insulting their own people — and the same standard should apply to everyone.

In the end, political maturity means we can disagree without turning it into tribal hostility.

That is the real lesson we should be discussing.

SmartPolician:
Who looted the palliatives? City Boys supporters or a mob? That's where to start this conversation.

I don't see how a mob will overpower the armed security operatives at the venue and loot the palliatives without them shooting people. City Boys couldn't manage their own event.

Are the mobs Fulani and yorubas or same igbos.

I hope you won't come here crying when other regions reject Peter Obi campaigning in their states.

Remember Tinubu can win election again without campaigning in the south East.

In 2023, Tonubu never campaigned in the SE , even late Buhari won twice without campaigning in the SE.

Time will tell

Then why is he coming now to campaign

Cherrybae:
Are the mobs Fulani and yorubas or same igbos.

I hope you won't come here crying when other regions reject Peter Obi campaigning in their states.

Remember Tinubu can win election again without campaigning in the south East.

In 2023, Tonubu never campaigned in the SE , even late Buhari won twice without campaigning in the SE.

Time will tell

What nonsense did I just read?

Some of you ought to be writing qualification and IQ tests before you are allowed to comment online.

No wonder those who support APC are the dumbest Nigerians

Cherrybae:
Are the mobs Fulani and yorubas or same igbos.

I hope you won't come here crying when other regions reject Peter Obi campaigning in their states.

Remember Tinubu can win election again without campaigning in the south East.

In 2023, Tonubu never campaigned in the SE , even late Buhari won twice without campaigning in the SE.

Time will tell

Babablu bulabu.

City boys movement of APC recruited people who took away the palliatives.

You can't control sharing of palliatives and you are blaming Obi.

Bulabu will tell.

Cherrybae:
Are the mobs Fulani and yorubas or same igbos.

I hope you won't come here crying when other regions reject Peter Obi campaigning in their states.

Remember Tinubu can win election again without campaigning in the south East.

In 2023, Tonubu never campaigned in the SE , even late Buhari won twice without campaigning in the SE.

Time will tell

Are Igbos allowed to vote in freely in Lagos? The governors of Edo and Sunday Igboho just warned Peter Obi and Atiku not to come campaign in their states and region and nothing has been done about it. If the Southeast doesn't vote Tinubu in 2027, where then will his voyes come from? Tinubu boycotted the Southeast in 2023 because he had Northern support. He is now desperate for a Southern solidarity because he knows his chances are getting slimmer in the North, but he didn't include the other South in projects and appointments when he ought to. No one is fooled. INEC has not lifted embargo on campaigns but APC have already commenced campaigns with blatant vote buying and attempts to induce electorates with peanuts.

SeeWahala:
There is absolutely nothing for tilumbu and his family to come and do in the entire south east that will be of benefit to them in the coming elections

Let them take their movements and go elsewhere to save their time and money

Yet if MC Oluomo and his mob would show anywhere near this level of intolerance to Ndigbo in Lagos, Una nor go gree us rest here for Nairaland.

Hypocritcal much?!

AMINDA:
Are Igbos allowed to vote in freely in Lagos? The governors of Edo and Sunday Igboho just warned Peter Obi and Atiku not to come campaign in their states and region and nothing has been done about it. If the Southeast doesn't vote Tinubu in 2027, where then will his voyes come from? Tinubu boycotted the Southeast in 2023 because he had Northern support. He is now desperate for a Southern solidarity because he knows his chances are getting slimmer in the North, but he didn't include the other South in projects and appointments when he ought to. No one is fooled. INEC has not lifted embargo on campaigns but APC have already commenced campaigns with blatant vote buying and attempts to induce electorates with peanuts.

Please when did Akpakomezer warn anyone not to come and campaign in Edo state as I missed it? Not saying you're wrong, I genuinely haven't seen or reas it anywhere.

Also, if Igbos weren't allowed to vote, how did Peter Obi defeat President Tinubu in Lagos last time out?