DR. REUBEN ABATI AND THE ANTI-IGBO BIGOTS LIKE HIM ARE THE REASON IGBOS ARE UNSETTLED IN THE CONTRAPTION
3 min read
By Nkem Ossai
“There’s no room for faith, no room for flaming, fiery passion, when wicked souls possess the throne.” – Richard III (Act 1, Scene 1)
When a soul supposedly designed to create chose to destroy, there is a palpable need for worries. We are told that bigotry dwarfs the soul by limiting its sympathies, and narrows the mind by limiting its outlook. Why then should anyone celebrate its embrace?
A bigot, I am taught, is an individual who holds strong, often unreasonable, prejudices or biases against a particular group of people, often based on their: race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status etc. If we lived in a sane society, this kinds of people should not find their ugly souls in public spaces. Bigots exhibit behaviors such as: discrimination, treating individuals or groups unfairly or differently because of their perceived differences: holding preconceived notions or opinions about a group without evidence or personal experience.
Dr. Reuben Abati’s recent outburst and indignation against Igbo people on a public platform, specifically a respected one like Arise Television, left much to be desired. This goes to show the world, what Igbo people suffer on a daily basis trying to exist in Nigeria. The case is taken seriously this time because it was on a public television. But, I tell you most honestly, it is a sing song in Nigeria. Igbos are maligned as hands go to mouth.
For a well educated man like Abati, a former presidential aid and a lawyer, to single out the most liberal of tribes for his vituperation, there must be something we do not know yet. His claim that Igbos do not sell land to other tribes is hollow and full of tribal sentiments deliberately meant to scorn. People like him, delusional as ever, are the reason Igbos are uncomfortable in this contraption. They say or do what they do because they know there will be no consequence. In Nigeria, you can always say anything you want against the Igbo, nobody will raise a finger.
Since the end of the Nigeria Biafra civil war, Ndigbo have been victims of racism, homophobia, Igbo phobia, anti-semitic behaviours, and all kinds of stereotyping. That is why all Igbos must stand up to condemn ABATI and his ilks in its entirety.
Any fair-minded person who watched the telecast will shudder at the very wicked outburst of Abati against his fellow employee (Ojinika), who attempted to caution him. If I were the CEO of Arise Television, that will be the end of Abati in that organization. Organizations that value human relationships, do not hire people like Reuben with his fleeting anger.
To me, bigotry must be challenged in all its forms, as it does not recognize empathy neither does it respect diversity. A bigot is capable of murder as he does not recognize the rights of his victim to be alive.
In Enugu State and indeed my community in Igbo-Eze South LGA, every tribe exists and owns lands and houses. This is verifiable as there are three different mosques belonging to Hausa, Yoruba and other communities. As early as 1930s, Hausa, Yoruba, the Middle Belts people, with many other tribes have started owning landed properties in our communities and all over Igbo land. Till today, nothing has changed.
When a country of this size is run by people without morals the danger is unimaginable. Abati wants to run our country according to his dirty emotions.
A media personality who goes out there to exhibit hatred against a people like Igbos, knows that he has invited soldier ants for a party. Once again, our sensibility has been dragged to the gutters by no other person but someone I have always believed should know better. I think, we are in this universe alone.
Nevertheless, I am consoled by the unwavering courage of Ojinika in the face of open threats from Abati as she tried to caution him. Her demeanor and controlled emotions stole my heart. She deserves a recognition if not a national honour but can that happen in Nigeria?
The challenge the Igbo people face is indeed enormous – a wilderness of prejudices so to say. However, when closely examined, I will say, it is just a storm in a tea cup, as far as Igbo man is concerned.
