Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has said Bola Tinubu is using anti-Igbo sentiment for political gain.
In a recent video, Yesufu argued that the current wave of hostility against the Igbo people has political roots, orchestrated by Tinubu.
She noted that when the Igbo community supported and overwhelmingly voted for former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and former vice president Atiku Abubakar, they were not labeled as bigots. However, after voting for Peter Obi, the narrative changed, and they are now being portrayed as bigots.
Yesufu stated that Tinubu’s most damaging act goes beyond poor governance; it is fostering bigotry. She expressed shock at the sudden rise in hostility against the Igbo people, which she claims started during the 2023 election cycle and is being set up to continue into the 2027 elections.
Yesufu also criticized Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), for what she views as selective justice. Dabiri-Erewa had been vocal against a woman who called for violence against Yoruba and Edo citizens, but Yesufu argues that while Dabiri-Erewa is passionate about her job, she should ensure that justice is applied equally. She pointed out the lack of accountability for those who have incited violence against the Igbo people.
Yesufu concluded by questioning the double standards, asking why there is a push to prosecute a woman like Amaka Patience Sunnberger, while no similar actions are taken against those who have called for violence against the Igbo people.