Nkumogu Obadiah Mbila, a public affairs analyst, raised the issue of representation and inclusivity in Nigeria. He pointed out that certain ethnic groups, like the Ijaw people and Efik community, have not been treated as equal participants by those who consider themselves the dominant voices in the country.
Mbila stressed the importance of uniting all tribes and languages, noting that President Obasanjo's administration took steps toward inclusivity in governance. He highlighted the election of a minority Ijaw president as a positive move towards acknowledging and involving marginalized groups in leadership roles.
Mbila highlighted that unresolved challenges such as ethnicity, religion, resource management, and embracing national diversity persist in Nigeria. He faulted leaders for overlooking these crucial issues and prioritizing personal interests over the nation's well-being. Mbila's observations reflect the ongoing struggle to promote unity, diversity, and fair representation in Nigerian society.
In an interview with The Sun, Mbila said, "we’ve not truly reconciled every tribe and tongue. President Obasanjo’s all-inclusive administration was addressing this indirectly by giving every part the rights to participate in governance. That’s how a man from the minority Ijaw tribe became the president of this country.
The Ijaw man or Efik people have not been taken as equal stakeholders by the so-called owners of Nigeria. The question of ethnicity, religion, resource control, appreciation of our national diversity continues to beg for attention by deaf leaders who are interested in parochial ends."