Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has sparked a heated debate on social media with her comments on tribalism among Igbos. In a recent post, Omotola shared her observations on how Igbos reacted to a past disagreement between comedian AY, a Yoruba man, and Basket Mouth, an Igbo man.
According to Omotola, when AY accused Basket Mouth of not paying him on time for a show, Igbos on social media attacked Basket Mouth instead of defending him. Omotola contrasted this with how Yorubas would have defended one of their own in a similar situation.
The actress concluded that Igbos are not tribalistic, citing this incident as evidence. Her comments have generated a mix of reactions, with some people praising her for speaking the truth and others criticizing her for oversimplifying a complex issue.
Omotola’s post has also sparked a broader conversation about tribalism and ethnic loyalty in Nigeria. While some commentators have echoed Omotola’s sentiments, others have argued that her observations are anecdotal and do not reflect the full complexity of inter-ethnic relations in Nigeria.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Omotola’s comments have touched a nerve and highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue and reflection on the role of ethnicity in Nigerian society.