By Ihechukwu Madubuike
It is a sign of administrative failure or weakness when a government harbours in its midst persons who de-market fellow citizens without the culprit being cautioned, free of public reprimand, or chastisement of any kind. Adolph Hitler’s hatred of the Jews created an ethno-racial peril that led to the gas chambers that witnessed the death of millions of Jews. It was not only a loss to the right-thinking Germans, but an egregious afront to humanity. The consequences are yet to abate, as the Jews have vowed never to let it happen again, a decision that is at the core of Jewish militarism wherever anti-Semitism rears its ugly head.
Take the case of Lagos and the Yoruba population against the Igbo ethnic formation. Igbos do not rule Lagos. They are not the Governor, nor are they dominant in the Lagos legislature. They are also not in control of the Civil Service, nor the Judiciary. Demographically, they are the minority in the State. Igbos are ordinary traders, buying and selling their wares and putting their money in banks domiciled in Lagos, increasing the GDP of that mosaic state they live in. The aspiration of the average Igbo man is to be left alone to do his business in a level playing ground without let or hindrance.
The Media and its allies in Lagos should de-escalate the hate rhetoric that is constantly trending, increasing tensions and fuelling the atmosphere of fear. Nigeria is too fragile to make ethnic hatred a norm. Online or social media insults against the Igbo is tantamount to psychological terrorism and should be condemned. It should, henceforth be treated as a crime against humanity.
It is 2024, fifty-four years after the Nigeria-Biafra war. And the war seems to have continued by other means—systemic and ethnic denial of Igbo rights by ethnic bigots and sundry administrations. Said one such person on social media: “If Igbo want to destroy their land, economy, institution, sons and daughters, let them do so quickly. We do not care.” This is credited to one Taiwo Olanegan. He said other derogatory things against NdiIgbo. Igbos do not want to destroy themselves, nor do they want to destroy others, not minding that their fathers did prefer death to chattel slavery in the days of that inhuman commerce. But most destructive are the comments of Bayo Onanuga, the apostle of Igbo phobia in President Tinubu’s government. Using government’s resources to destroy fellow Nigerian citizens is no act of bravery. He may have forgotten what happened to Saul of Tarsus, and he may yet be on his way to Damascus.
That possible biblical scenario through divine intervention, as recorded in Acts 9 verse 4, is probably the driver behind Governor Peter Obi’s reaction to the allegation by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman that he, Peter Obi and the ObIdients, are behind the August 1-10 2024 #EndBadGovernment protest. Obi decided to pray for his traducers: “To those who spread falsehoods, I hold no malice. Instead, I pray for the blessings of God upon you and your families. May we all work together for the prosperous new Nigeria that is now a clear possibility,” prayed the former presidential contender in the 2023 polls. De-marketing the Igbo is akin to kicking against the biblical pricks. Atiku Abubakar, former vice President of the Federal Republic observed rightly but sadly that the situation is “deeply troubling.”
It is “deeply troubling” because of the deliberate sophistry of writers like Taiwo Olanagan, who wants to stand history on its head by comparing Biafra with Catalonia. Catalans are still fighting for their self-worth and the leader Carles Puigdemont recently returned to the country after years of exile. It was a surprise to his traducers. But I digress.
Our situation here is “deeply troubling” because of, firstly, the ominous silence from the powers that be in the face of the flagrant violation of our constitution by some misguided elements in our midst and secondly, the obdurate refusal to deal appropriately with the violators. Atiku Abubakar posted on social media: ”History has shown us the consequences of allowing hatred and bigotry to fester, as seen in Rwanda. What began with inflammatory rhetoric led to devastating outcomes. We must learn from these lessons and act decisively.” A stitch in time, they say, saves nine. Our elders have spoken.
Finally, is it not ironic that what some Nigerians deride other countries approve and appropriate? A 39-year old Igbo Canadian is the deputy prime minister of the province of Manitoba in Canada. Uzoma Asagwara recently introduced a bill to parliament to recognize October 1st each year in the province as ‘Independence Day” in alignment with the commemoration in Nigeria. It is an honour to the over 7000 Nigerians in that province who are not just NdiIgbo. We are proud of her for speaking for the Nigerian tribe, not for one ethnic group.
Still in Canada, the captain of the Canadian Basketball Team, defeated by Nigeria in the just concluded 2024 Olympic fiesta in Paris is Natalie Chioma Achonwa, an Igbo. The lesson is that Canada is home to all, and is at peace with the province of Quebec, which, for many years, agitated for a separate existence. The present Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, a Quebecois, is from that province. Talk of inclusiveness and true federalism.
Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, OON, Enyi Abia, is a former minister of the Federal Republic.
