‘Ethnic Irredentist’ — Moghalu Appears To Attack Fani-Kayode After ‘Lagos Belongs To Yoruba’ Comment

Kingsley Moghalu, a former presidential aspirant and ex-deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has cautioned Nigerians against retreating to “primordial worldviews” instead of making progress as next Lagos State governor.

Moghalu cautioned citizens against “ethnic irredentism” which has been described as a political movement that seeks to reunite a group of people who share a common ethnicity, culture, or language but who have been separated by political borders.

While ethnic irredentism is seen as a powerful force for national identity, the concept has been credited as a major factor in the conflicts that have plagued Africa since the end of colonialism.

Moghalu, in a series of tweets on Sunday, appeared to criticize former aviation minister and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Fani-Kayode, after the latter declared that Lagos State belongs to Yorubas and must not be taken over by people of the Igbo ethnic group.

“I condemn ethnic irredentism of ANY type and done on behalf of WHICHEVER ethnic identity. While I am proud of my ethnic origin and culture, it does not make me superior to any other person of any other origin. We must associate as human beings that are God’s creation.

“Tribalism is primitive! As one of those who, as a #UN official and international lawyer prosecuted the architects of the 1994 Rwanda genocide in the late 1990s, I know much about this powerful evil. Nigerians should decide to make progress, not retreat to primordial worldviews,” Moghalu cautioned.

Tribalism is primitive! As one of those who, as a #UN official and international lawyer prosecuted the architects of the 1994 Rwanda genocide in the late 1990s, I know much about this powerful evil. Nigerians should decide to make progress, not retreat to primordial worldviews.

— Kingsley Moghalu OON (@MoghaluKingsley) March 12, 2023
Fani-Kayode, a 60-year-old lawyer and former presidential aide, has been campaigning against voting anyone with roots traceable to the Igbos of Nigeria’s South East region as next Lagos State governor.

In an article published via his blog on Sunday, Fani-Kayode said “the most important thing for the Yoruba to do today is to ensure that Babajide Sanwo-Olu is re-elected as Governor of Lagos state.