A Lagos representative, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, is under fire for allegedly skewing an empowerment scheme towards his Igbo kinsmen while neglecting Yoruba constituents in his constituency.
The controversy erupted after the lawmaker distributed funds and materials through the programme, with critics arguing that the benefits went overwhelmingly to people from the Southeast rather than the largely Yoruba residents he represents. Aides to Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu joined others in condemning what they described as a betrayal of the trust placed in the representative.
Those attacking Onuakalusi say the empowerment scheme was meant to lift up constituents across the board, regardless of ethnic origin. Instead, they claim, he used public resources to favour his ethnic group, a move that has sparked anger in the community and raised questions about how he allocates state and federal support meant for his people.
The representative has not made a public statement addressing the allegations. The controversy highlights tensions that sometimes arise in Nigerian politics when elected officials are accused of ethnic favouritism, particularly when it involves the distribution of public funds meant to benefit entire communities. Constituents from the Yoruba community have expressed disappointment, saying they expected better from someone they voted into office to serve all of them equally.
The matter is likely to intensify in coming weeks as community leaders and stakeholders demand transparency in how the empowerment scheme was managed and call for a public accounting of how the resources were distributed. How Onuakalusi responds to these accusations will determine whether the matter fades or escalates into a larger political issue.
