By Nnanke Harry Willie
The build-up to the 2023 elections has unveiled a madding crowd of ethnic bigots, never before seen among Nigeria’s educated elite. Things that used to be murmured among like minds are now being yelled at the rooftops at perceived political enemies.
The level of the reckless resort to the use of lies, half-truths, innuendoes, abuse, bullying, threats and vicious virtual attacks by a cross-section of Nigeria’s educated elite has reached a point where every discerning Nigerian should begin to call out and shame these misguided elements across Nigeria.
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The language, tone and tendencies are revealing. To my utter chagrin, a lot of people who were considered, cosmopolitan, exposed and intelligent simply wore those attributes as a veneer for the highly acerbic and vindictive bigoted dispositions that they have all along encased.
In Lagos, for instance, there has been no love lost since the build-up to the 2015 elections when Oba Rilwanu Akinolu allegedly threatened the Igbos with death in the Lagoon if they failed to vote the then APC candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. This was just as it was believed that PDP’s Mr. Jimmy Agbaje’s then-surging support was allegedly coming from the Igbo bloc.
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Though the Oba came out to swiftly clarify his position at that time and assured all Lagos citizens of his royal blessings, it appears the schism that alleged statement created has continued to grow. Unfortunately, those who have been at the forefront are politicians and otherwise enlightened and educated individuals who should know better.
For the first time in any election cycle, Nigerians have been asking their fellow citizens to go back to their states of origin rather than stay in their states of domicile and criticize their chosen candidates. Those on the other side are equally unsparing as they dig deeper into the lava-filled pit of bigotry. Vile is then spewed back and forth for hours on end. Everyday!
Some sections in the main political parties are clearly orchestrating this shameful tactic and are crafting and deploying their messaging albeit subtly along these lines through paid surrogates and fiercely loyal supporters. This is a real shame!
As I write this piece, some decades-old friendships have been destroyed because some closet bigot doesn’t believe that a particular friend has the right to support any other candidate apart from their own. They also brook no criticism, no matter how logical. If perchance the candidate of choice is from a different tribe, he or she concludes that you have made your decision because you are a tribalist. If however, you belong to the same tribe, you are labeled a sellout…a Judas!
Any discerning mind will be very ashamed at how our educated folk drain themselves to push false narratives, lies and hateful vitriol against candidates and their supporters across social media platforms and even at physical meetings. The funny thing is that a good number of those who are guilty of this terrible resort to bigotry are the first to accuse others.
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I use this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians to wear a smile when they canvass support for their candidates and allow others to have their say, even if you disagree with them or don’t support their candidate. Most of the candidates, by the way, are close friends. They look out for one another after every election and help each other survive until the next election cycle.
No candidate deserves your bigotry, your friends and fellow Nigerians also deserve better. You also should never diminish yourself and your tribe by displacing logic and rationalism which you have worked hard to earn through years of education and social integration with a poisoned cloak of bigotry.
Bigotry is an affliction. If you really love your candidate, sell him or her with love, not hate!
In the end, we all deserve a greater Nigeria. Don’t be an educated fool!
Nnanke Harry Willie is the Audacious Brand Champion
