Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticized the perceived ethnic imbalance in Nigeria’s key economic and tax-related agencies, highlighting concerns over Yoruba dominance.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics today from 27:55, Showunmi argued that the composition of such institutions has raised questions of inclusivity and fairness, particularly in the context of the recently proposed tax reform bill.
“They created it by themselves,” Showunmi said. “You can’t have IRS, Yoruba; finance, Yoruba; customs, Yoruba; inland revenue, Yoruba. If you are not a Yoruba man, Seun, would you be happy? And then two Yoruba people come and tell you, ‘We have a new tax regime,’ they’ll be nervous.”
Showunmi suggested that such a structure breeds mistrust, especially when other ethnic groups feel excluded from key decision-making positions.
The PDP chieftain stressed that politicians and lawmakers are elected to represent the interests of their constituencies and protect their people.
“People are not in the National Assembly, in the Senate, or even in politics, not to protect the interest of their people. That’s why they’re there; they are representatives of their own people. That’s why the pushback will come,” he explained.
He further criticized what he described as a lack of inclusivity in the current administration’s approach to governance, using the metaphor of a “party invitation” to emphasize the importance of equitable representation.
“Why should you invite people to a party they are supposed to be seated at, and they’re getting the invitation after you and your tribesmen have sat on it?” Showunmi queried. “You may mean well, but let me have one of my own sitting there to be sure you really mean well.”