Last week’s verbal attack on the Igbo by a Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. James Anelu, from Edo State, brought the issue of Igbophobia to the fore once more in Nigeria. As if on cue, the next day, a deputy commissioner of police, Mr Ibrahim Babazango, from Adamawa State, was reported to have threatened the life of one Igbo man, Mr. Vincent Umeh, for buying the property next to his residence in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.

For Rev. Fr. Anelu, the Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Enu-Owa, Ikorodu, Lagos State, the trigger was that the choir was singing “too many” Igbo choruses. It was reported that he stopped the choir midway and outlawed the singing of Igbo songs in the church. That was not all. He went into the usual ethnic tirade of how Igbo people liked to dominate everywhere, citing the example of an Igbo person being the bishop of his home diocese (Benin Diocese), and other stereotypical statements.

From his speech, captured on camera, it was obvious the singing of Igbo songs was not his main problem. The Igbo were his problem. Even though that parish was highly populated by Igbo people, for the sake of integration and inclusiveness, songs sung at such a church should reflect the ethnic diversity of Nigeria. A Roman Catholic head of a parish wields enormous power. He can sack the entire choir. If Anelu’s concern was truly the need for inclusiveness, he could have invited the leaders of the choir to a private meeting and explained to them the need to sing more songs from other ethnic groups and English. After that, if the problem persisted, he could apply punitive measures to the leadership of the choir or the lead vocalists with the sole aim of correcting the problem.



He could also take other practical measures to change the situation like encouraging more non-Igbo people to join the choir. He could also encourage non-Igbo to teach the choir more non-Igbo songs to deepen their repertoire. But the words of Fr. Anelu showed that his primary concern was not to promote inclusiveness but to express his views about the Igbo. The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos quickly intervened by suspending him.

In the case of Babazango, Sahara Reporters had reported that he was caught in an audio warning Umeh to reverse the land purchase deal or face some consequences, including no guarantee of his personal safety.

“We’re a homogeneous community, I don’t want you; you can’t be my next-door neighbour, I swear. What sort of insult is this? Can any northerner move now to the South-East, say Onitsha, and just bump into any neighbourhood to buy a property just like that?” the senior police officer had allegedly said to Umeh. Sahara Reporters reported that when it contacted Babazango, he maintained his stand on the issue.

A follow-up news story by Sahara Reporters noted that the Nigeria Police Force described the accusation as false, stating that Umeh never reported such a case to them as he claimed. However, Sahara Reporters confirmed that Umeh reported the matter to Zone 3 Police Command, Yola and also the office of the Department of State Services in December 2021.


These cases only became points of interest because of the status of those involved and because they were brought to the media space. But they are not unusual. They are only part of a bigger and deeper problem. In the recent past, some prominent Nigerians like the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, etc, have been caught on camera displaying Igbophobia. However, most non-Igbo, who don’t experience Igbophobia, would easily dismiss any claim that Igbophobia is systemic in Nigeria. But that should not be surprising because they are not involved. It is said that whoever feels it knows it.

There are two types of Igbophobia in Nigeria: the brazen and the subtle. The brazenness is what usually attracts national attention. Subtle Igbophobia usually goes unnoticed. It is so deep in the system that it is taken as normal. In fact, those who engage in it do not realise that they have such a problem. It manifests in different ways like giving the Igbo a different standard or condition that is not given to other ethnicities or always believing that there is “something” wrong with the Igbo.

Many nice, urbane, educated, supposedly detribalised, open-minded Nigerians don’t even know that they have Igbophobic tendencies. They will swear with conviction that they are not Igbophobes. But once you hear someone say: “Igbos are great people but…;” “I have many Igbo friends. I have nothing against Igbos but…;” “The problem with Igbos is…,” you see a subtle Igbophobe.



If you discuss the issue further with such people, their next line is that they are speaking the truth and that one problem with “you people” is that you don’t like the truth.” Then you hear something like: “You people are too emotional.” To such people, they are merchants of truth and rationality, while the problem is with “you people.”

Whichever way the Igbo act, such people find something wrong with it. For example, if the Igbo vote for their kinsman, the accusation is: “You people are clannish.” If people from the North or South-West or South-South do the same, the music changes to: “They are politically strategic.” If the Igbo vote for non-Igbo people, the same people say: “Igbo people don’t speak with one voice. They don’t love one another.” If people from the North or South-West or South-South do the same, the narrative changes to: “They are politically sophisticated.” Then, if the Igbo vote massively for one candidate, the accusation becomes: “Igbo put their eggs in one basket.” If the Igbo spread their votes between two candidates, the accusation changes to: “Igbo scatter their votes unwisely. They are not politically sophisticated.” Head or tail, there is something wrong with the Igbo people.

Without knowing it, these nice people who harbour unconscious Igbophobic feelings regularly set different standards for the Igbo, standards they don’t set for their own folks or other ethnic groups: “You guys must come together and present one presidential candidate with integrity.” If you ask them which ethnic group has ever done that, they bring up another blackmailing line about “you people ‘’ not liking to hear the truth and then jump to another topic.

The biggest challenge facing the Igbo is their large numbers in other parts of Nigeria. They are usually the second largest population after the indigenous people. They usually control the retail business wherever they are. Therefore, if the indigenous people want to buy a malaria drug, it is an Igbo person they go to. If they need a spare part for their motorcycle or motor vehicle, it is an Igbo person that sells it to them. If they need a shirt, an electric bulb, a tin of milk, a loaf of bread, a bowl of rice or a mobile phone, it is an Igbo person that sells it to them. Consequently, the Igbo unconsciously assume the image of an army of occupation, which attracts resentment towards them. This is compounded by the aggressiveness with which the Igbo buy parcels of land and erect houses wherever they are. It creates a convincing narrative that the Igbo have a long-term agenda of taking over the communities where they reside, which worsens the resentment towards them. Being a loud and proud people does not help the case of the Igbo. Therefore, if the economy tanks and prices of goods go up, the Igbo get the blame for that because they sell most of the goods the indigenous people use. If there is a riot, their goods and investments become easy targets.

The Igbo are not saints or angels. They have weaknesses and strengths like any other ethnic group. But the problem lies in always concentrating on their weaknesses or using the bad acts of individuals to judge the entire ethnic group or setting an impossible standard for them. Nigerians have an Igbo problem, which they do not realise, but which they need to solve, if the claim of national cohesion and unity has any sincerity in it.

Ok.

We like you.

Bring your candidate out na.

IGBOS EXIT NIGERIA AND KNOW PEACE....LET'S ALL RESPECT AND LOVE EACH OTHER FROM ACROSS OUR BORDERS


IF NOT OUR CHILDREN, CHILDREN CHILDREN AND THIER CHILDREN WILL STILL BE HAVING THIS TOPIC TOMORROW

ezenwajosh:
IGBOS EXIT NIGERIA AND KNOW PEACE....LET'S ALL RESPECT AND LOVE EACH OTHER FROM ACROSS OUR BORDERS


IF NOT OUR CHILDREN, CHILDREN CHILDREN AND THIER CHILDREN WILL STILL BE HAVING THIS TOPIC TOMORROW

This, but then again, many black people in Africa can't see reason. Na only death, deceit and evil dem know. For crying out loud, Eedris sang "Nigeria Jaga Jaga" 18 years ago. We still dey face the same problem. Ah... black mannnnnn

mmanwuijele:



This, but then again, many black people in Africa can't see reason. Na only death, deceit and evil dem know

Honestly...I don't know how many hate they will have to take in before they realise it

IGBOS don't know that with how far they have gone in business.... If they leave Lagos today BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE LAGOS WITH THEM

THE ONES IN THE NORTH DON'T KNOW IF THEY LEAVE NORTH TODAY BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE WITH THEM TO WHERE EVER THEY ARE....BUT I DON'T CARE AND I DON'T PITY OUR PEOPLE ANYMORE WHAT EVER IS DONE TO THEM TODAY THEY DESERVE BECAUSE IGBO DI IBERIBE

ezenwajosh:
Honestly...I don't know how many hate they will have to take in before they realise it

IGBOS don't know that with how far they have gone in business.... If they leave Lagos today BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE LAGOS WITH THEM

THE ONES IN THE NORTH DON'T KNOW IF THEY LEAVE NORTH TODAY BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE WITH THEM TO WHERE EVER THEY ARE....BUT I DON'T CARE AND I DON'T PITY OUR PEOPLE ANYMORE WHAT EVER IS DONE TO THEM TODAY THEY DESERVE BECAUSE IGBO DI IBERIBE

That time is fast approaching my brother.

ezenwajosh:
Honestly...I don't know how many hate they will have to take in before they realise it

IGBOS don't know that with how far they have gone in business.... If they leave Lagos today BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE LAGOS WITH THEM

THE ONES IN THE NORTH DON'T KNOW IF THEY LEAVE NORTH TODAY BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE WITH THEM TO WHERE EVER THEY ARE....BUT I DON'T CARE AND I DON'T PITY OUR PEOPLE ANYMORE WHAT EVER IS DONE TO THEM TODAY THEY DESERVE BECAUSE IGBO DI IBERIBE

Eziokwu Nna. Apparently, mgbe Ikemba gara Trade Fair I fu ihe niile ndi igbo luru ebeahun, he said to them " Ewu Kwenu" and they responded. The ones in Lagos, I can forgive a little. Not the ones in the North. Ihe me taata, otu ndia si gbuchasi umunne anyi na 66 ka ha g'esi mekwa ya ozo.
Hell, I can't hate the ones in Lagos. My dad built a house there... but also built a bigger one in Anambra. Naija made it virtually impossible to do business in Igbo land. Things have changed though. My people need to leave slowly. Ha gwa nit, nti anughi... you know the rest!

Igbo

The author of this rubbish must be highly delusional. Igbophobia ! The campaign of culumny Igbo mount on Fulanis do we call that Fulaniphobia ? The ones to Yoruba do we call that Yorubaphobia Hausa Ikwerre n so n so fort.

The audacity at which igbos sit to write journals like this is actually what baffles me. A foolish igbo from anywhere can sit down outline thought such as this fool did but he can not pen down same of Igbos promoting n projecting phobia n hate on other tribes.

When Kanu says no Igbo should go to Yoruba churches it is not Yoruphobia.

When foolish Igbos claim Fulani are bandit n killers it is not Fulani phobia.

If Wike chased away Ipob from Riverside considering the carnage they perpetuate in Imo Abia etc it is Igbophobia.

When Igbos burn down Dangote truck it is not Fulaniphobia.

When Igbos burn down mosque n killed northerners no phobia is attached to it but when Igbo are paid in kind all sort vocabulary will start emanating from your vocal cavity.

This foolish writer is lucky I have no time to start outlining the clannish altitude of the Igbos NL for don full.

Victim mentality.

What have other regions done to Igbo's to warrant unnec5 daily attacks? So you guys can't even take 10% of what you have been dishing to others?

Is that not sheet hypocrisy?

ezenwajosh:
Honestly...I don't know how many hate they will have to take in before they realise it

IGBOS don't know that with how far they have gone in business.... If they leave Lagos today BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE LAGOS WITH THEM

THE ONES IN THE NORTH DON'T KNOW IF THEY LEAVE NORTH TODAY BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE WITH THEM TO WHERE EVER THEY ARE....BUT I DON'T CARE AND I DON'T PITY OUR PEOPLE ANYMORE WHAT EVER IS DONE TO THEM TODAY THEY DESERVE BECAUSE IGBO DI IBERIBE

You be people can keep deluding yourself. If there have not been existing businesses in Lagos state, would your people have migrated?

Meanwhile, you people migrating back to your region have been our prayers. That would create job avenue for more Indigenes.

The question we should be asking is when exactly are you people leaving?

This is sad

helinues:


You be people can keep deluding yourself. If there have not been existing businesses in Lagos state, would your people have migrated?

Meanwhile, you people migrating back to your region have been our prayers. That would create job avenue for more Indigenes.

The question we should be asking is when exactly are you people leaving?

Helinues.. you're a Fulani man. No dey disguise. I can't even speak facts with you.

[You did well Otole. Now go through the list you made above and compare it with the one the op made. Can Kanu ever say to the Yoruba what Adeyink a Godson has said to the Igbo. No. Now look at it, Adeyink Godson is not listed by the op.

Check the names he listed Abike Dabiri, Mohamed Buhari, the Bastard Oba of Lagos, the police officer, the Rev father etc and many more unlisted. These are people in high offices. Can you list one Igbo in high office who has ever used similar words on others.

But the phobia is deep in you.

quote author=Invictuse post=110243164]The author of this rubbish must be highly delusional. Igbophobia ! The campaign of culumny Igbo mount on Fulanis do we call that Fulaniphobia ? The ones to Yoruba do we call that Yorubaphobia Hausa Ikwerre n so n so fort.

The audacity at which igbos sit to write journals like this is actually what baffles me. A foolish igbo from anywhere can sit down outline thought such as this fool did but he can not pen down same of Igbos promoting n projecting phobia n hate on other tribes.

When Kanu says no Igbo should go to Yoruba churches it is not Yoruphobia.

When foolish Igbos claim Fulani are bandit n killers it is not Fulani phobia.

If Wike chased away Ipob from Riverside considering the carnage they perpetuate in Imo Abia etc it is Igbophobia.

When Igbos burn down Dangote truck it is not Fulaniphobia.

When Igbos burn down mosque n killed northerners no phobia is attached to it but when Igbo are paid in kind all sort vocabulary will start emanating from your vocal cavity.

This foolish writer is lucky I have no time to start outlining the clannish altitude of the Igbos NL for don full.
[/quote]

mmanwuijele:


Helinues.. you're a Fulani man. No dey disguise. I can't even speak facts with you.

Not a Fulani but Bororo. We Bororos are different from Fulani's.

helinues:


Not a Fulani but Bororo. We Bororos are different from Fulani's.

Bruh.. no dey deny your people. Stand firm!
You've been fooling many Yorubas here, acting like you are one, causing division, yet you're an invading j@njaweed from the Sahel.

ezenwajosh:
IGBOS EXIT NIGERIA AND KNOW PEACE....LET'S ALL RESPECT AND LOVE EACH OTHER FROM ACROSS OUR BORDERS


IF NOT OUR CHILDREN, CHILDREN CHILDREN AND THIER CHILDREN WILL STILL BE HAVING THIS TOPIC TOMORROW

Spot on!

I’ve long since given up on this country! The pretence, hypocrisy, subtle Igbophobia, hate and violence is just too much and i don’t see it ending even in the next three decades! The muslim core-north and -to a lesser extent- the Yoruba view of us as a ‘dominating, greedy, wicked and cunning’ people WILL NEVER CHANGE! For the sake of our future generations....and there’s too, we need to have some sort of political and economic distance between the three major ethnic groups!

OP, brilliant submission!

helinues:


Victim mentality.

What have other regions done to Igbo's to warrant unnec5 daily attacks? So you guys can't even take 10% of what you have been dishing to others?

Is that not sheet hypocrisy?

Their invective on Tinubu alone,u will think the man has ruled any if their states,.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y3yR-NMSvg

ezenwajosh:
Honestly...I don't know how many hate they will have to take in before they realise it

IGBOS don't know that with how far they have gone in business.... If they leave Lagos today BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE LAGOS WITH THEM

THE ONES IN THE NORTH DON'T KNOW IF THEY LEAVE NORTH TODAY BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE WITH THEM TO WHERE EVER THEY ARE....BUT I DON'T CARE AND I DON'T PITY OUR PEOPLE ANYMORE WHAT EVER IS DONE TO THEM TODAY THEY DESERVE BECAUSE IGBO DI IBERIBE

You are right, and it’s got little to do with the economic traction the Igbo presence contributes to Lagos.

Rather, it has more to do with the fact that if Ndigbo...and for that matter, any other prominent ethnicity (like the Hausa-Fulani, Ijaw, Itshekiri, etc) leave Lagos today, it would point to the occurrence of a much larger seismic event: THE DISSOLUTION OF NIGERIA AS WE KNOW IT! If this happens, anti-Igbo Yoruba would have finally got their wish....but it may turn out to be a case of ‘be careful who you wish for as you just might get it’!

IGBOSON1:


You are right, and it’s got little to do with the economic traction the Igbo presence contributes to Lagos.

Rather, it has more to do with the fact that if Ndigbo...and for that matter, any other prominent ethnicity (like the Hausa-Fulani, Ijaw, Itshekiri, etc) leave Lagos today, it would point to the occurrence of a much larger seismic event: THE DISSOLUTION OF NIGERIA AS WE KNOW IT! If this happens, anti-Igbo Yoruba would have finally got their wish....but it may turn out to be a case of ‘be careful who you wish for as you just might get it’!

ezenwajosh:
Honestly...I don't know how many hate they will have to take in before they realise it

IGBOS don't know that with how far they have gone in business.... If they leave Lagos today BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE LAGOS WITH THEM

THE ONES IN THE NORTH DON'T KNOW IF THEY LEAVE NORTH TODAY BUSINESS WILL PARK AND LEAVE WITH THEM TO WHERE EVER THEY ARE....BUT I DON'T CARE AND I DON'T PITY OUR PEOPLE ANYMORE WHAT EVER IS DONE TO THEM TODAY THEY DESERVE BECAUSE IGBO DI IBERIBE

helinues:


Victim mentality.

What have other regions done to Igbo's to warrant unnec5 daily attacks? So you guys can't even take 10% of what you have been dishing to others?

Is that not sheet hypocrisy?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y3yR-NMSvg


Cc Ikegwuru

[s]

helinues:


Victim mentality.

What have other regions done to Igbo's to warrant unnec5 daily attacks? So you guys can't even take 10% of what you have been dishing to others?

Is that not sheet hypocrisy?

[/s]

[s]

helinues:


You be people can keep deluding yourself. If there have not been existing businesses in Lagos state, would your people have migrated?

Meanwhile, you people migrating back to your region have been our prayers. That would create job avenue for more Indigenes.

The question we should be asking is when exactly are you people leaving?

[/s]

[s]

helinues:


Not a Fulani but Bororo. We Bororos are different from Fulani's.

[/s]

[s][quote author=helinues post=110245311][/quote][/s]