“Any Igbo Supporting APC Is Wicked” — Fayose’s Comment Sparks Reactions [Video]

Nigerian commentator Isaac Fayose has sparked controversy after describing any Igbo person supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as “wicked” while praising Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Fayose, in a statement making the rounds on social media, argued that Obi had achieved more politically for the Igbo people than any other Igbo politician in the last 40 years, with the exception of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

He said:

“Any Igbo man supporting this APC government is a wicked Igbo man. When it comes to politics in Igbo land, in the last 40 years, apart from late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, no other Igbo man has done what Peter Obi has done. Y’all should know that without you people, Obi will still win.”

The comment has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians on social media, with some users supporting Fayose’s position while others criticised what they described as an attempt to inject ethnic sentiments into political discussions.

One social media user wrote: “Na only corn wey they give them dey obstruct their thinking, cause deep down they know the truth that Peter Obi is no match to Tinubu, Tinubu is a colossal failure.”

Another user defended Igbo voters and wrote: “No Igbo man listens to the lost souls of APC. We are independent minded. We always vote for the best presidential candidate.”

A third commenter alleged that Fayose could be working in favour of President Bola Tinubu’s political camp, writing: “I believe this Isaac was paid by Tinubu’s team to mislead Igbos. I know people who are close to this egbon and they said he’s a staunch Tinubu supporter.”

The user, however, provided no evidence to substantiate the allegation that Fayose was paid by Tinubu’s team.

Another commenter criticised the ethnic framing of the argument, writing: “Una too sabi play tribal politics and later una go dey blame other people, how about other tribe wey dey support una messiah? And this man sabi talk wetin dem go take hail am.”

Fayose’s remarks have consequently reignited debate over ethnic identity, political loyalty and support for different presidential candidates ahead of Nigeria’s next general election.