I want to address the issue of Igbophobia and its connection to intellectual dwarfism and marasmus in Nigeria. In our country, politicians often exploit tribal biases for personal gains, and the Igbo people become easy targets for such divisive tactics. Yesterday, I was in Imo State, and I was likely the only non-Igbo person in the crowd. Yet, I was treated with the utmost respect and hospitality. This has been my experience with the Igbo since 1985, they are reliable friends and hospitable to strangers, contrary to the narratives spun by those seeking political power.
The irony is that some of the most educated Nigerians, when it suits their agenda, descend into tribalism, promoting hatred against the Igbo. I schooled in the North and have met Yoruba and Northern elites who don’t harbor these prejudices. Yet, there remains a small group of poorly educated individuals who use Igbophobia as a tool for political gain.
A recent example is a senator, a lawyer by profession, who argued against the return to regionalism because it might lead to the resurgence of Biafra. His logic is flawed. Regionalism existed before the Biafran secession, and it wasn’t the cause. Even more absurd is the idea of depriving all regions of the benefits of regional governance out of fear of Igbo aspirations.
Interestingly, there are also agitations for Yoruba Nation, as I observed during a recent flight. An elderly man cursed the current president, lamenting that Yoruba people want their own nation. His passion was evident, yet no one suggests that regionalism would empower such movements. Why then single out the Igbo?
These arguments against the Igbo reveal a deeper issue, intellectual marasmus and dwarfism. Some people are so caught up in small-minded thinking and political games that they fail to see the bigger picture. They speak on the Senate floor, but their reasoning lacks substance and wisdom.
What’s worse, some Igbo leaders remain silent, afraid of losing the little benefits they receive from being in power. Yet, these same individuals complain about the rising cost of food, like rice now costing ₦100,000 per bag. This reveals a lack of political intelligence. When will they realize that they are complicit in their oppression?
The release of certain individuals involved in regional agitations, while others remain detained, underscores this bias. Igbo leaders, like Nnamdi Kanu, have been treated unfairly despite court orders. This selective justice is a symptom of Igbophobia, which must be addressed if we are to have peace and progress in Nigeria.
As I’ve said before, Nigeria cannot prosper while treating any group, particularly the Igbo, as second-class citizens. All Nigerians, regardless of tribe, deserve respect and fair treatment. Only when we address this imbalance will we see a truly united and prosperous nation.
Let’s build a Nigeria where no one is oppressed. The Igbo must not be demonized or marginalized, and we, the minorities, must not be treated like trash in our own country.
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Thank you, and God bless.
