Igbo Phobia: Bane to Nigeria’s Unity in Diversity

There is a Nigerian proverb that says “The rope that binds us together is stronger than the rope that binds us apart”. This emphasizes the need for unity and togetherness as a nation. However, the current state of the nation seems to act otherwise especially in the aspect of embracing cultural diversity. An instance is the “Igbo Phobia” issue being brought to light after so many years. Igbo Phobia is also called anti-Igbo sentiment and it refers to the threatening and stigmatism of the Igbo people. Its origin could be traced to the time of the just concluded military coup d’etat in 1966 which eventually led to the Biafran war in 1967 and lasted for 3 years. The aftermath of the civil war still leaves scars in the nation till today.

Moving on to the present day, the Sahara reporter reported on Monday 20th of August, 2024 that the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu, has been called out by the The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria (GCSDN) to publicly apologize for allegedly making hate speeches to the Igbo people. His royal highness allegedly threatened to kill the Igbo people living in Lagos State if they didn’t vote for an “incontestable” gubernatorial candidate. Recall that this ethic animosity has its root. The accusers posited that his hate speeches could be traced from the 2015 governorship election campaign. The group said that the Oba of Lagos threatened to kill Igbos living in Lagos if they failed to vote for Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate. Although, they eventually voted for the candidate of their choice and no one died.

Furthermore, the 2023 governorship election of Lagos State, where Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour represented the Labour Party governorship candidate, there were a lot of biased insults and comment concerning his running for power. This was as a result of him being part Yoruba, paternally and part Igbo, maternally. The likes of Bayo Onanuga, the director of media and publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), among others, gave their tribalistic opinions and threats about the candidates of the election but rather than being arrested and punished for their flaws, they were just cautioned, promoted and compensated by the President of the federation. This made the group wonder if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is for or against the Anti-Igbo Sentiment.

As a result, this has created fear among the Igbos living in Lagos State, thus Igbo Phobia. In the past, after the Biafran war, some Igbos had to change their names to avoid being killed. Others had to stop speaking Igbo in public due to the same reasons. Even during the 2023 election, Yorubas who looked like Igbos were hindered from voting because they weren’t going to vote for APC. This shouldn’t be the order of the day.

This has led to so many unanswered questions such as why the renewed national anthem, the third and forth line of the first stanza which says “though tribes and tongues may diverse, in brotherhood we stand”, is not being experienced by the citizens of the federation? What efforts are the government, our leader, making to curb tribalism? Where do we as the masses stand, when even our leaders fail to set the pace for unity and togetherness in the nation as a result of their selfishness and greed? How long will this disunity go on, affecting the growth and development of the country?

The government should reminisce that Nigeria is a democratic nation and it is their duty to serve the country and embrace her diversity. It is only then we can grow and live as one. To conclude, this is a call to action, not just to our leaders, but to we, the citizens. Let us play our little roles to build a better Nigeria for ourselves and the unborn generation. Let us ensure that the labours of our heroes past won’t be in vain. Remember, a house divided against itself cannot stand. Together, we can make a better Nigeria.

This leaves me to ask a very important question, what is your view on Igbo Phobia?

By Kofoworola Oladoke