Outrage In Lagos As Lawmaker Okey Joe Onuakalusi Faces Ethnic Bias Allegations Over Empowerment Scheme

Outrage in Lagos as Lawmaker Okey-Joe Onuakalusi Faces Ethnic Bias Allegations Over Empowerment Scheme Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, the House of Representatives member representing Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency in Lagos State, has come under heavy criticism following the publication of beneficiaries of his empowerment programme, with allegations that the selection process was ethnically biased. Critics have accused the lawmaker of favouring individuals from his own ethnic group over Yoruba indigenes, sparking heated debate across political and community lines in the constituency. The controversy erupted after lists of beneficiaries from the empowerment scheme circulated publicly, prompting accusations that the distribution of opportunities was not balanced and did not reflect the demographic composition of the constituency. Some constituents and observers argue that the selection appeared to marginalise a section of the population, raising concerns about fairness, representation, and inclusivity in constituency projects. However, supporters of the lawmaker have defended the programme, insisting that the empowerment initiative is designed to support vulnerable residents regardless of ethnic background and should not be politicised. They maintain that empowerment schemes often target individuals based on need, training records, or community recommendations rather than ethnic identity. The issue has since intensified conversations on identity politics in Lagos, particularly in constituencies with diverse populations, where representation and distribution of public benefits remain sensitive topics. As of the time of filing this report, Onuakalusi has not issued an additional public statement directly addressing the latest allegations.