LAGOS – A brewing ethnic row has engulfed the Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency II following the release of a foreign empowerment list by its representative in the House of Representatives, Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi.
The lawmaker, elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, is currently under fire from top government officials, political commentators, and constituents who accuse him of systemic marginalization and ethnic bias in the distribution of public resources.
The Genesis of the Backlash
The controversy erupted after Onuakalusi published a list of 29 beneficiaries selected for specialized foreign training programs in China and South Africa. The programs cover high-demand sectors, including Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, food processing, and diabetic care.
An analysis of the initial list revealed a significant demographic disparity: out of the 29 slots, approximately 24 beneficiaries appeared to be of Igbo descent, while only five were identifiable as Yoruba, the indigenous ethnic group of the constituency he represents.
Wale Ajetunmobi, Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, led the condemnation, describing the selection process as “outright ostracism.”
”This is utterly abominable,” Ajetunmobi stated. “You sick people are usually loud in criticizing Tinubu for appointing Yoruba people to federal positions… now, a non-native Rep uses resources meant for a Yoruba constituency to substantially empower his own kinsmen.”
”A Slap on the Constituency”
The sentiment was echoed by popular political analyst Japhet Omojuwa, who characterized the lawmaker’s post as “self-indicting.” Omojuwa argued that the publication displayed a lack of self-awareness and exposed latent discrimination against the very people who voted the lawmaker into office.
Online critics were equally relentless. One X user, Midatlblog, pointed out that the list even included a suspected relative of the lawmaker, Chukwuka Onuakalusi, at number 20, questioning why the representative did not seek office in the South East if his primary goal was to empower his lineage. Others alleged that some Yoruba names on the list appeared “generated” or suspicious.
The Representative Responds
In an apparent bid to quell the rising tension, Hon. Onuakalusi released an “updated” list of the 20 individuals sponsored for the China and Taiwan legs of the program.
The revised list includes:
- Elite Agriculture (Taiwan): Victor Ejike Obi
- Malaria Elimination & Monitoring (China): Olamilekan Akinduro, Stella Anigbogu, Oloyede Taiwo, and Obinna Enwerem.
- Cybersecurity (China): Barr. Njideka
- Tourism Development (China): Samuel Ajayi-Crowther, Emmanuel Onyika, and Chukwuka Onuakalusi.
Despite the update, the controversy highlights the delicate nature of ethnic representation in Lagos State politics, particularly in constituencies where non-indigenes have successfully vied for legislative seats.
As of press time, the Labour Party leadership in Lagos has not issued an official statement regarding the conduct of its member, while constituents continue to demand a more transparent and equitable framework for future empowerment initiatives.
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