‘Madness’ — Seyi Law condemns viral photo of man clamouring for tribalism in Yoruba-owned firms

Seyi Law, the comedian, has condemned a viral picture of a man clamouring for “Yorouba jobs for Yoruba people” in Southwest states.

The movie star shared the picture on his Twitter handle on Thursday, calling it “absolute madness.”

In the photo, the man is seen with a placard with the inscription that reads: “This is a notice to all the companies, government agencies, and businesses in Yorubaland to give 90% of their employment to the Yoruba people first and foremost.”

A group — Young Yoruba For Freedom (YYF) — had earlier made such demand after Tonia Somaga, a graduate from Anambra and Labour Party (LP) supporter, was seen in a now-viral photo driving one of the Lagos blue rails.

The group also called on the state government to sack the lady for allegedly supporting Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate.

In his reaction, the comedian said he didn’t support Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, to encourage such a movement.

Seyi also urged people to desist from promoting “tribal war,” adding that “you can respect your tribe without denigrating another.”

“This is absolute madness. I didn’t support ASIWAJU to see all these things. Are you saying even companies owned by non-yoruba should do the same or just those owned by Yorubas? Either way, this is wrong, so let’s stop promoting rubbish in the name of anger,” he wrote.

“The train girl was an opportunity for us to preach peace and show we are different. I am not belittling your anger, but we must learn to compromise for the collective peace we crave. You can respect your tribe without denigrating another. Abeg na, let’s sheath our swords.

“These attitudes give bad names to good ideas. We must do what is right to say we deserve more. Please, I believe we can do better. Things are tending in the direction I don’t appreciate. This doesn’t in any way dim my support for the good, I believe ASIWAJU will bring. Thanks.”

This is absolute madness. I didn't support ASIWAJU to see all these things.

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Are you saying even companies owned by non- yoruba should do the same or just those owned by Yorubas? Either way, this is wrong, so let's stop promoting rubbish in the name of anger. pic.twitter.com/DyZRSCJjEj

— SEYILAW (@seyilaw1) April 20, 2023

The just-concluded 2023 general election in Nigeria had stirred up a wide range of controversies.

Tinubu recently urged Nigerians to shun ethnic and religious rivalries.

“We will make faster progress towards the achievement of the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country we all desire if we eschew divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with our compatriots,” he had said.