Ewenla To Ethnic Defenders: Stop Making Excuses For Bad Policies
…As PDP Chieftain Says Citizens’ Welfare Must Come Before Tribal Loyalty
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Adedipe Dauda Ewenla, has condemned tribalism in Nigeria, saying ethnic sentiments should not be allowed to influence citizens’ judgment or prevent them from demanding accountability from those in power.
Ewenla, who is the PDP Southwest Zonal Ex-Officio, made the remarks while reacting to what he described as the tendency of some Nigerians to defend political leaders because they belong to their ethnic group, even when economic challenges affect their livelihoods.
He questioned why Nigerians who previously complained about economic hardship when petrol was sold at significantly lower prices could now accept higher fuel prices and worsening economic conditions simply because a person from their ethnic group is in power.
The PDP chieftain stressed that his position was not an attack on any ethnic group, but a call for Nigerians to place the country’s interests and the welfare of citizens above tribal sentiments.
Ewenla, who described himself as a proud Yoruba man from Lagos State, said being Yoruba should not compel him to defend wrongdoing by another Yoruba person, insisting that criticism of a person from one’s ethnic group when necessary should not be interpreted as betrayal of one’s heritage.
He said the values passed down by the people of Yorubaland include integrity, dignity, courage, accountability and fairness, arguing that Nigerians should be willing to speak the truth regardless of whose interests are affected.
Ewenla maintained that wrongdoing should be condemned irrespective of the ethnic identity of the person involved, urging Nigerians to ask questions, demand accountability and put their collective interests ahead of ethnic loyalty.
He said tribalism should never be stronger than conscience, stressing that building a better Nigeria requires citizens who can objectively scrutinise government actions without first considering the tribe of the person in power.
