Ewenla: Ethnicity Must Not Override Accountability in 2027

…Says Nigerians Should Judge Tinubu, APC By Performance, Not Ethnic Identity

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest Zonal Ex-Officio, Dr. Adedipe Ewenla, has said ethnicity should not be used as a basis for defending political leaders, urging Nigerians to assess the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration based on its policies, performance and impact on citizens.

Ewenla, in a statement on his position ahead of the 2027 general elections, said Nigerians should place national interest, accountability, security and economic welfare above ethnic or partisan considerations.

He said he was a Yoruba man but would not support any political leader simply because of shared ethnic identity, stressing that his loyalty was primarily to Nigeria and the welfare of its citizens.

According to him, the standard used in assessing former President Goodluck Jonathan should also be applied to the present administration, arguing that some Nigerians who criticised Jonathan over the economy now defend Tinubu despite the increase in the cost of living and petrol prices.

Ewenla also cited former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying his administration was subjected to sustained criticism by political opponents, but some of those same voices now defend the Tinubu administration whenever it comes under scrutiny.

He maintained that political leadership should be assessed through measurable outcomes rather than ethnic identity, adding that he personally considered the Obasanjo administration to have recorded stronger results than what he had seen under the present administration.

On petrol pricing, Ewenla expressed concern over differences in pump prices among filling stations, particularly in Lagos, and called for greater transparency regarding the factors determining petrol prices.

His comments come amid recent fluctuations in petrol prices across Nigeria.

Reports in September showed different pump prices among outlets and locations, with prices in Lagos and other parts of the country moving above N1,300 per litre.

Ewenla also raised concerns over foreign-exchange instability, saying difficulties in accessing foreign currency through regulated channels and differences between official and unofficial market rates should be addressed through effective policies and greater transparency.

The PDP chieftain urged Nigerians to focus on issues including the cost of living, food prices, insecurity, foreign-exchange stability, employment, infrastructure, public services, accountability and the impact of government policies on businesses and households ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said being Yoruba should not compel anyone to defend every action of a Yoruba president, arguing that citizens should be able to criticise policies they consider harmful irrespective of the ethnic background of those in government.

Ewenla further said Yoruba voters had other political options and mentioned Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential figure Omoyele Sowore as examples of Yoruba political figures on different platforms.

He said his criticism of Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not be interpreted as opposition to Yoruba participation in national leadership, insisting that political choices should be based on candidates’ records, programmes, accountability and their vision for Nigeria.

Ewenla declared that he did not support the return of the Tinubu/APC administration to Aso Rock in 2027, saying he would continue to advocate political change through democratic participation and the ballot box.

He urged Nigerians to examine the records of all candidates and political parties before making their choices in the 2027 general elections, stressing that national interest should take precedence over ethnic and partisan loyalty.