Popular Nigerian comedian, Oluwaseyitan Aletile—known widely as Seyi Law—recently stirred public discourse with his bold remarks about Nigeria’s political landscape.
In a candid conversation on the Deep Dive podcast hosted by Teju Babyface, the entertainer shared his thoughts on what he perceives as a long-standing pattern of political favoritism in Nigeria.
According to Seyi Law, successive Nigerian presidents have consistently adopted a political strategy that prioritizes placating the northern region of the country, often at the expense of national balance and inclusivity.
His comments have since sparked renewed debates about the role of regional politics in shaping the nation’s development trajectory.
During the interview, Seyi Law reflected on his personal political stance in the past and used it to underscore the inconsistencies he has observed in Nigerian leadership. “I supported Jonathan in 2014,” he admitted, “but that doesn’t mean that everything that Jonathan did was right.”
He acknowledged the rampant corruption that existed under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, but also commended some of the former president’s efforts.
“There was a lot of corruption under Jonathan, but then he did something that I like,” Seyi said. “He tried to fight corruption with technology and not just with mouth.”
This nuanced view set the stage for a deeper critique of what he described as a problematic political tradition.
Seyi Law went further to emphasize that Nigeria’s political culture often revolves around appeasing certain regions while taking others for granted.
“When Jonathan was supposed to show that he was the president, he played politics to placate a side of the country,” he stated, pointing toward what he believes is a dangerous assumption held by many leaders—that one part of the country can be disregarded because it is perceived as more liberal or tolerant.
He added, “We think the other side of the country is liberal, which sometimes gets me annoyed in Nigerian politics.” His frustration reflects a broader concern that the politics of favoritism has deepened national divisions rather than fostered unity.
Expounding on this point, the comedian made it clear that this pattern of favoritism isn’t unique to one administration, but a recurring theme across multiple presidencies.
“A lot of our previous presidents have always worked to placate the North,” he declared. This, in his view, has created an imbalance in the country’s governance, where some regions feel entitled to political rewards while others are sidelined.
He recalled the events leading up to the 2015 election, citing how Jonathan’s campaign began to offer financial incentives after ignoring earlier political advice.
“In 2014, when Jonathan was campaigning after people had told him to do certain things and he didn’t do them,” Seyi said, “he started bringing out money for the campaign, and people said this is our own compensation—and they didn’t do the work for him.”
In conclusion, Seyi Law’s remarks underscore the frustrations many Nigerians feel about the structure and practice of regional politics.
His words serve as a stark reminder that for Nigeria to move forward, its leaders must govern with a sense of fairness and national responsibility, rather than seeking to satisfy specific power blocs.
The comedian’s critique—delivered with the bluntness of a seasoned observer—reveals a deeper yearning for a political system that values competence and justice over regional favoritism.
His commentary, though informal, raises important questions about the future of leadership in a diverse and complex nation like Nigeria.
