IPOB Lawyer Ejiofor Criticizes Tinubu’s Government, Labels It ‘Ebilokan’ Over NLC’s Withdrawal Of Planned Protests
Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, legal counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has sharply criticized the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of perpetuating hardship and hunger across the nation. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Ejiofor attributed the current economic difficulties to what he described as a “longtime romance” between the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the federal government.
Ejiofor’s remarks come in the wake of several postponed or canceled protests that were planned by the NLC against government policies. According to Ejiofor, these protests, which could have been effective in voicing Nigerians’ dissatisfaction, were repeatedly undermined by last-minute decisions from the NLC, often following private meetings with government officials.
He accused the NLC, under the leadership of Joe Ajaero, of compromising its position and abandoning the fight against the “unpopular policies” of the government, which have led to severe poverty and economic hardship for Nigerians. Ejiofor noted that, despite several calls for peaceful protests, the NLC withdrew support at the “eleventh hour” after what he described as a “midnight tea party meeting” at the Presidential Villa.
“Nigerians are currently suffering because the NLC failed to stand firm against the government. Their failure to hold the government accountable has exacerbated the hardship the people are facing,” Ejiofor said. He pointed out that the cost of fuel has skyrocketed to as much as N1,700 per liter in some parts of the country, while widespread hunger and hopelessness are driving some to suicide.
Ejiofor went on to express his frustration with the current state of affairs, saying, “Emilokan has turned to Ebilokan.” The phrase, originally popularized by President Tinubu during his presidential campaign, roughly translates to “It’s my turn,” but Ejiofor used the variation “Ebilokan” to reflect what he perceives as a turn towards destructive governance.
In his post, Ejiofor concluded, “There was a country indeed,” lamenting the loss of what he once believed Nigeria could be, while criticizing the potential risks for anyone attempting to protest under the current regime, alluding to possible charges of treason or terrorism for dissenters.
