In a recent interview with Arise News, Professor David Aworawo, a prominent academic from the University of Lagos, challenged the notion that Igbophobia—a fear or dislike of Igbos—only emerged after the 2023 presidential election. Aworawo clarified that this sentiment has long existed in Nigeria, although it may have become more pronounced following the election.
“I don’t agree with Dr. Boniface Chizea that Igbophobia developed in the aftermath of the last election. It has always been here; probably it expanded in the aftermath of the election,” Aworawo stated. He emphasized that the bias against Igbos has deep historical roots, and while recent events may have intensified these sentiments, they were by no means a new phenomenon.
However, Aworawo also took the opportunity to highlight a critical point regarding the 2023 election results in Lagos. He argued against the misconception that Peter Obi’s victory in Lagos was solely due to the votes from the Igbo community. “Nobody should have the illusion that Obi’s victory in Lagos was made possible only by the votes from Igbos,” he remarked.
Aworawo pointed out that many Yoruba voters, particularly elites and those who desired genuine change, supported Obi after assessing the candidates. “Many Yoruba people, mostly elites, those who wanted genuine change and who thought that after assessing the candidates, Obi occupied the top, voted for him. We saw that in Lekki and all over the place. So Obi’s victory in Lagos was not just the Igbos alone; there were many Yorubas who voted Obi,” he explained….Sëe ~ Morê