Mike Ozekhome, a prominent human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has sparked debate by addressing criticisms against President Bola Tinubu’s perceived favoritism in appointing individuals of Yoruba ethnicity to key government positions. Speaking at a symposium organized by the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Abuja on December 11, as reported by Diaspora digital media correspondent, Ozekhome argued that the precedent for ethnic favoritism was set during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Ozekhome, Nigerians who are now vocal about Tinubu’s alleged “Yorubanization” of government appointments were largely silent during Buhari’s tenure, when appointments were heavily skewed towards northern Nigeria and Muslims. He contended that this silence not only emboldened such practices but also normalized them, making it unsurprising that Tinubu would follow a similar trajectory.
“When I hear northerners complain that Tinubu has ‘Yorubanised’ Nigeria with so many Yorubas in high-ranking positions, I understand their concerns,” Ozekhome stated. “But where were these voices when Buhari, for eight years, systematically ‘northernised’ every major position in Nigeria?
You were either a northerner or a Muslim to occupy any significant office. I cried out back then. I wrote articles and essays condemning it, yet many turned a blind eye because Buhari was ‘their man.’”
Ozekhome highlighted the stark favoritism during Buhari’s administration, describing how the former president’s government was overwhelmingly dominated by individuals from the North and members of the Muslim faith.
This trend, he said, marginalized other regions and religions, creating a sense of exclusion and resentment.
“I documented these issues extensively,” Ozekhome said, referencing one of his books, How Buhari Mismanaged Nigeria, published as part of a collection he presented on his 67th birthday. “It detailed how Buhari’s administration rode roughshod over national unity, prioritizing sectional interests over the collective good.”
He criticized the complacency of those who defended Buhari’s actions, noting that many rationalized the bias under the guise of ethnic solidarity. “Some people embraced the idea of ‘na we we’—he is our man. Even when his policies didn’t benefit them directly, they were satisfied simply because he came from their region or shared their faith. Such myopic thinking has contributed to the systemic issues we face today.”
Ozekhome lamented how this pattern of ethnic favoritism has perpetuated division and distrust in Nigeria. He argued that while Tinubu’s appointments may reflect an undue focus on his ethnic Yoruba group, they are part of a larger systemic issue that has plagued successive governments.
“Nigeria cannot thrive if every administration prioritizes its ethnic or regional group at the expense of national unity,” he warned. “The backlash Tinubu is facing now is not because he is doing something new, but because the previous administration set the stage for such practices to become normalized.”
The activist called for introspection among Nigerians, urging citizens to reject double standards in their critique of leadership.
He emphasized the need for a fair and equitable system where appointments are based on merit rather than ethnicity or religion.
“It’s not enough to condemn Tinubu without addressing the root causes of the problem,” Ozekhome said. “We must create an environment where leaders are held accountable for upholding the principles of inclusivity and fairness, regardless of their background.”
As Nigeria grapples with its diversity, Ozekhome stressed the importance of fostering national unity and dismantling the cycle of favoritism that has hampered progress. He urged Nigerians to demand better from their leaders while avoiding ethnic or regional biases in their expectations.
“Inclusivity should be non-negotiable,” he concluded. “If we truly want Nigeria to grow, we must hold every administration to the same standard, regardless of where they come from or who they represent.”
Ozekhome’s remarks serve as a wake-up call for Nigerians to reflect on their role in perpetuating or challenging systemic issues, emphasizing that true progress can only come from collective accountability and a commitment to fairness.