Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has stirred controversy with comments suggesting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected in 2023 due to ethnic support from Yoruba voters.
During an interview on The Honest Bunch podcast, Obi questioned if “there is a market where Yoruba people buy things cheaper,” referencing economic hardships under Tinubu’s presidency.
“Let’s talk about what is happening today, rice is N100,000 and we are not even sure where we are gonna be with this situation.
“It is our turn, he is a Yoruba man. Ask the people in Ogun here, is there a plan where you people buy bread cheaper? So I can follow you this night and buy one.”
Obi’s remarks prompted swift backlash on social media, especially from Yoruba users who felt targeted by his statements. Twitter user @Mayordavid_9 expressed disappointment, stating, “This coming from a presidential aspirant shows how tribalistic this man is.”
Another user, @Laykay0808, added, “Is he not aware Yorubas’ votes and others made him win in Lagos?”
The criticism continued with @JubaOluwaseun, who emphasized, “The Yoruba voted for him en masse… Now compare this to what Tinubu achieved in his region.” Meanwhile, @Ohiss_ accused Obi of making “careless insensitive statements to please the media.
Obi’s comments have reignited debates around ethnic dynamics in Nigerian politics. His stance on Tinubu’s support base, coupled with recent comments suggesting church vigils be limited to boost productivity, has drawn polarized responses, with some seeing it as practical advice, while others see it as an unnecessary interference in religious practices.
