The Federal House of Representatives Member representing Oshodi-Isolo II, Lagos State, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, has come under intense criticism after publishing the list of people in his constituency who have benefitted from his empowerment scheme. Onuakalusi, a non-native and non-Yoruba, who got elected on the platform of Labour Party in 2023, in a Yoruba state, is accused of empowering people of his Igbo ethnicity, while sidelining the Yoruba indigenes.
Details of the Empowerment Programme
His programmes sponsored 20 participants to China to study cyber security, food processing, and artificial intelligence, among others. Another programme sent nine participants to South Africa to study nursing and diabetic care. Of the 29 participants, 24 are Igbos while the Yoruba participants are five.
The following persons were sponsored on foreign trainings abroad:
- Victor Ejike Obi – Course: Elite Agriculture | Location: Taiwan
- Chief John Uche Onyebuchi – Course: Language and Culture | Location: China
- Rev Aselem – Course: Language and Culture | Location: China
- Engr Walter Ukaga – Course: Artificial Intelligence and Media Development | Location: China
- MBA James Ihuoma – Course: Law and International Business Environment | Location: China
- Barr Njideka – Course: Cybersecurity and Information Countermeasures | Location: China
- Olamilekan Akinduro (Otunba) – Course: Malaria Elimination and Monitoring | Location: China
- Samuel Ajayi-Crowther – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
- Mrs Stella Anigbogu – Course: Malaria Elimination and Monitoring | Location: China
- Oloyede Taiwo – Course: Malaria Elimination and Monitoring | Location: China
- Obinna Enwerem – Course: Malaria Elimination and Monitoring | Location: China
- Emmanuel Onyika (M.C. Senator) – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
- Light Maureen Ogochukwu – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
- Mrs Ebere Goudjo – Course: Ground-Based Application of Meteorological Satellite Data Processing | Location: China
- Dr Jairus Abba – Course: Ground-Based Application of Meteorological Satellite Data Processing | Location: China
- Mr Michael Williams Ayodeji (AY) – Course: Ground-Based Application of Meteorological Satellite Data Processing | Location: China
- Asobi-Peter – Course: Food Processing and Fermentation | Location: China
- Richard Oru – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
- Kenneth Onyema – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
- Chukwuka Onuakalusi – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
The following were sent to South Africa for trainings in Nursing / Diabetic Care:
- Mrs. Gladys Chijoke
- Dr. Jarius Abba
- Mrs. Jenifer Chidinma Uchenna
- Mrs. Oluchi Chioma Mark
- Mrs. Chidinma Constance Ahaiwe
- Mr. Barnard Chibuzo
- Mrs. Ezinna Precious Adaukwu
- Ngozi Uzo Nwabufor
- Mrs. Abisola Shobande Roche (Representative & Coordinator)
Reactions from Officials and Public
The lopsidedness in the empowerment scheme has generated outrage from social media users, who lamented that Yoruba youths are being sidelined in their own state by a non-native in political power. Reacting, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State, Wale Ajetunmobi, rubbished the empowerment scheme, with a post on X, saying, “This is utterly abominable. Marginalisation is not an accurate word to describe this; it’s outright ostracism. Haaa… a ti gba àbọ̀dè fun’ra wa.”
Sanwo-Olu’s aide also slammed a comment justifying the scheme, which claimed that the non-Yoruba majority favoured in the scheme deserved it because they are also Nigerians. Ajetunmobi said, “So, the lopsided empowerment is fair game to you? You sick people are usually loud in criticising Tinubu for appointing Yoruba people to Federal positions but conveniently forget that the president has been appointing Nigerians. Now, a non-native Reps used resources meant for a Yoruba constituency to substantially empower his own kinsmen. Then, the beneficiaries suddenly became ‘Nigerians’. You silly idiots shift narrative conveniently just to look good before those marginalising your kinsmen in your land. O tin shiere.”
Public Outcry on Social Media
Popular blogger Japhet Omojuwa described lawmaker Onuakalusi’s action as discrimination and a slap on his constituents. @Omojuwa said, “This is a self-indicting post and a big slap on your constituency. That you didn’t even have enough self-awareness, to post this makes me wonder what other forms of latent and blatant discrimination are going on against the people you were voted for represent.”
@EweduBabexat said, “You were given a chance to represent a south west at the federal level. Your duty was to ensure majority of that state indigene are well positioned apart from developing projects. The people you majorly sent has constituency in their state catering for them.”
@Teephirm said, “To all the Yoruba people who were angry and proved their hatred for Asiwaju by voting for Obi’s party from top to bottom — this is the outcome. I hope you are now happy. You have now become second fiddle in your own land. Keep nursing that unnecessary anger, and continue allowing strangers to deny you your rights while they empower their own ethnic people.”
@EleluAyoola said, “You’re representing people in Yoruba land yet you prioritise your people more by giving them 99.9%. You are a bigot and why people must have a rethink before voting one of you to become the President. This is what you all planned to do with the President. You even dared to post this online as an achievement. Oni jere.”
Lawmaker’s Response
In an apparent reaction, amid the backlash building up on social media, lawmaker Onuakalusi shared on X, “Wazobia. Say no to tribalism. Okey-Joe is OK. A new Nigeria is POssible.”
