TINUBU'S CHAUVINISM: Is He Settling Scores?

It’s clear that Tinubu has become an unabashed chauvinist, and watching it unfold is disheartening. This trend does not bode well for national unity. His key appointments appear to be the most lopsided in the history of Nigeria.

Currently, several critical positions are held by individuals from the Yoruba ethnic group: the Inspector General of Police, the Chairman of the EFCC, the Head of the DSS, the Attorney General, the Chief Justice of the Federation, and, of course, Tinubu himself, a Yoruba, is the President and overseer of all coercive instruments. The entire criminal justice system seems to be controlled by a single ethnic group.

Historically, Afenifere served as the conscience of both the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large, advocating for good governance and opposing oppression, often described as a push against the Hausa-Fulani hegemony. They championed social justice and inclusiveness, proposing a sovereign national conference to address issues of internal colonization and marginalization. Those days seem to be behind us. Now, Tinubu, once an advocate of Afenifere and NADECO, appears to be consolidating an ethnic hegemony.

Many are left wondering if Tinubu is settling scores. If so, what grievances could he have? Obasanjo, a fellow Yoruba, held the presidency not long ago, and the Yoruba have ruled longer than any other group since the Fourth Republic. So why is Tinubu’s ethnic loyalty so fervent that he has not only secured the critical levers of the criminal justice system for the Yoruba but has also populated nearly all key economic roles with members of the same group? The CBN governor, Minister of Finance, Minister of Blue Economy, Minister of Digital Economy, Minister of Trade, and many others are all Yoruba. Even during the peak of Hausa-Fulani military dominance, no government exhibited such a blatant concentration of power in one ethnic group. What drives Tinubu’s ethnocentrism?

The country is currently grappling with high levels of crime and corruption. It cannot afford the distractions that come from suspicions of ethnic domination, especially when it struggles to conduct fair elections.

The perception that Tinubu has effectively "Yorubanized" the critical functions of the state only deepens existing distrust. Our issues are immense. The latest Mo Ibrahim report indicates that Nigeria is one of the worst-governed countries in Africa over the past decade, scoring a dismal 28% on the War Against Corruption. We now find ourselves in the same category as Sudan and Somalia. While it may seem foolish to focus on the ethnic implications of appointments instead of pressing issues like health, education, and security, one major problem Tinubu inherited was a virulent ethnic division. National unity should be a priority. Tinubu’s extreme “parapoism” is counterproductive. Even military juntas were more inclusive. He should recognize that Nigerians are not passive; they understand the significance of equitable representation in a multi-ethnic nation. A genuine sense of belonging across ethnic divides is essential for unity, peace, and sustainable progress.

The leadership of the Army, Police, Customs, Immigration, and DSS is all in the hands of the Yoruba. This imbalance is staggering. While the Yoruba are indeed an intelligent and sophisticated group, this level of concentration is concerning. The government is not an Egbe Omo Oduduwa. Many attribute Tinubu’s tribalism to the legacy of Buhari, but this perspective is disingenuous. Tinubu should have learned from Buhari’s shortcomings. While Buhari’s appointments favored the North, they were not as overtly biased as Tinubu’s. Critics of Buhari noted his narrow-mindedness, but he did not concentrate power exclusively within his ethnic group. Tinubu's tribalism is alarmingly blatant; the Yoruba have taken the head, heart, gizzard, kidneys, and liver. People in developing nations recognize ethnic domination when they see it.

However, it’s crucial not to place blame solely on the Yoruba. Many among them are embarrassed by Tinubu’s outdated behavior. The Yoruba are known for their welcoming nature, cultural harmony, and religious tolerance. They seek equitable competition rather than dominance. Historically, they have been the most vocal advocates for equity and meritocracy. Tinubu’s drive for ethnic hegemony is not representative of Yoruba values.

One plausible interpretation is that Tinubu may have lost faith in the concept of One Nigeria during his long wait for the presidency. This disillusionment is evident in his appointments, with most of his personal aides being Yoruba. His spokesman, Onanuga, has shown a troubling bias against the Igbo community, and many of his top positions are filled by Yoruba individuals.

For the first time, we have a seasoned politician who has long prepared for this role, yet he relies solely on his tribe. Tinubu has been a prominent senator for over 30 years and has a national presence. Still, he distributes appointments as if they were gifts to his hometown. His approach should have been informed by his experiences in the struggle for democracy. The clannishness on display today should have been tempered by the lessons of NADECO. Critics now claim that after seizing ultimate power, Tinubu has shed any pretense and revealed his true colors.

Ordinarily, few would object if Tinubu chose only people from Iragbiji or Isale Eko for top government roles, but his cabinet is filled with individuals lacking integrity—some even have criminal records. After removing five ministers for poor performance, many questionable figures remain, raising concerns about his commitment to good governance. Many Yorubas fear that Tinubu’s “parapoism” is more about building a private political dynasty than serving the nation.

When Nigeria achieves true unity and selects leaders for government as we do for sports, no president will govern with the narrow mindset that Tinubu has exhibited. This is why many believe that the federal character principle, intended to promote inclusiveness, instead fosters alienation. If Tinubu’s successor adopts a similar parochial approach, the country risks disintegration due to deepening ethnic divisions.

President Tinubu must recognize that in a diverse, multi-ethnic country, concentrating power in one group will only breed disenchantment and paranoia, eroding social cohesion. The Yoruba do not need this kind of favoritism. So why is Tinubu so insistent on this divisive path?

Courtesy Dr. Ugoji Egbujo