Re: Fani-Kayode and the Igbos

My short response to the article “Fani-Kayode and the Igbos” By Dr. Phil Tam-Al Alalibo

The manner in which unguarded statements are being made across the length and breadth of Nigeria, insulting the sensibilities of other ethnic groups is definitely worrying.

I know for a fact that the so called “deportation” of destitute did not start yesterday. If I remember correctly, on my visit home in 2009, such destitute were taken back to my own State of Osun from Lagos. And from all indication, it has been an on-going policy which all the states of the nation were fully aware of and participated in by identifying and receiving those they regard as their people.

The questions one begin to ask are: Were Peter Obi and Orji Kalu asleep before and have they now just woken up? Why are they making it look as if Lagos State’s policy is an anti-Igbo policy when it is not? Is it a case of conveniently suffering from amnesia when the policy of one state out of a number of Yoruba states is made to look as a Yoruba policy against the Igbos? Why did Obi not take up his grievance officially or unofficially with his Lagos State counterpart Fasola?

When Ohaneze goes to the extent of “excommunicating” the Igbo serving in Fasola’s cabinet because of the fall out of a policy which did not start yesterday, it really makes you wonder if we should continue to delude ourselves that this marriage will last.

I must confess that the way and manner fingers are regularly poked in the eyes of the Yoruba especially by my Igbo brothers and sisters (and more often for no sensible reason) is breeding an unusual resentment.

Sad as it may be, the fact is for as long as there is an army of Peter Obis and Orji Kalus who are ready to play the ethnic/tribal/race card in a perceived game of politics, rather than dealing with any issues they are aggrieved with through formal and informal channels, Nigeria will continue to have a horde of Fani-Kayodes ready and willing to guide their own perceived turfs.

Yoruba adage:
“Dada ko le ja, sugbon o ni aburo t’o gb’oju”.
Dada may be timid, but he has a younger brother who would not take any nonsense.