By Passman Akpos
A fresh controversy has erupted online after a viral video surfaced showing Sunday Igboho wearing a cap branded with the logo of the All Progressives Congress during a ceremony in Ibadan, triggering heated debate across social media and political circles.
Igboho, widely known for championing the agitation for an independent Yoruba nation, appeared in the video greeting guests while wearing the party’s cap — a move that immediately sparked reactions from supporters and critics alike.
Several pro-Yoruba nation groups accused the activist of betraying the struggle for the creation of an independent Oduduwa state, arguing that appearing in the colours of a ruling political party contradicts years of separatist agitation.
However, others have defended him, saying the activist is a free citizen who has the right to associate with any political platform and pursue peaceful coexistence with other ethnic groups, including the Fulani community.
The development also revived comparisons between Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, with some observers noting that Kanu has continued to insist on the Biafra struggle despite allegations that he has been offered incentives to abandon it.
Public affairs commentator Charles Apoki weighed in on the debate, warning Nigerians against using the actions of one individual to stereotype an entire ethnic group.
According to him, Nigeria’s core challenges go beyond ethnic divisions and are rooted in governance failures, corruption, elite capture, and weak institutions across all regions of the country.
“Oppression, corruption, intolerance of dissent, and electoral fraud occur everywhere. There is no part of Nigeria where angels live,” he argued, adding that citizens often turn discussions into ethnic or religious battles instead of confronting structural problems.
Apoki also pointed to historical examples of cooperation between ethnic groups to illustrate that unity has long existed in Nigeria. He recalled how former Vice President Alex Ekwueme once entrusted property matters to a Yoruba tenant during the Nigerian civil war and later supported the establishment of First City Monument Bank after returning to public office.
He further cited the loyalty shown by Adekunle Fajuyi, who chose to die alongside then Head of State Johnson Aguiyi‑Ironsi during the 1966 crisis, as a powerful example of cross-ethnic solidarity.
The commentator stressed that agitation movements should not revolve around individuals but around ideology and long-term institutional reforms.
According to him, the real solution to Nigeria’s persistent unrest lies in strengthening governance at the state and local government levels, improving the justice system, and building strong national institutions such as the police, military, and judiciary.
He also argued that when equity, fairness, and social justice are entrenched, many separatist agitations across the country would naturally diminish.
The debate over Igboho’s appearance in APC colours continues to divide opinions online, with some Nigerians urging calm and deeper reflection on the country’s governance challenges rather than ethnic blame games.
