Leadership of the Arewa
Consultative Forum has faulted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,
Nnamdi Kanu for using ‘zoo’ to depict Nigeria.
Secretary General of the
sociopolitical group, Anthony Sani said, although, Kanu and his fellow
agitators have every right to fight for their freedom but using foul languages
to describe a whole nation is unheard of and the consequence could be war.
Sani alleged that Igbo leaders
have tacitly endorsed hate speech by the IPOB leader because of their silence
over Kanu’s excesses.
The ACF chieftain noted that Kanu
has severally used provocative languages against Nigeria and its leaders and
should be allowed to face the law.
“He (Kanu) even used the word
‘zoo’ to depict Nigeria and in blithe disregard for the fact that this same
term was used in Rwanda to cause ethnic cleansing with dire consequences. There
are countries where agitations for the split have taken place without the
resort to the use of foul language and hate speech as we have experienced with
IPOB. We have Catalonia in Spain; Quebec in Canada; and Scotland in Britain.
Why should there be hate speech that is capable of incitement?
“You would note that Nnamdi Kanu
was arraigned on charges of treasonable felony and was granted bail on medical
grounds with clearly spelt out conditions which he accepted of his own
volition. But Kanu has observed the bail conditions more in the breach. This
has tested the will of the Federal Government which has gone to court to either
enforce the bail conditions or have him rearrested.
“But some other people believe
that Kanu’s re-arrest will make him a political factor in the polity. To this
group, it is better to ignore Kanu, while some others are of the view that the
Federal Government should dialogue with Kanu and bring about a political
solution. But, do we now reward bad behaviours with recognition and concessions
by playing up Danegeld in Biafra? To me – unless it is impossible – I would
prefer that the law should take its course.
“Hate speech is a serious issue
that is capable of splitting the country through avoidable conflagration or
war. Yet, Igbo leaders have tended to tacitly endorse the hate speech by the
Indigenous People of Biafra through their reticence until very recently – and
despite their knowledge of dire experiences of civil war,” Sani told Punch.
The question should rather be, what should happen to Buhari and Aisha for referring Nigerians as animals. BABOONS AND MONKEYS, HYENAS AND JACKALS. FOOLISH AND STUPID AREWA
ReplyDeleteIf really government is monitoring social media this anonymous 4:03 should be invited and introgated
ReplyDeletemeshelza muktaru am with u.
ReplyDeleteWe are preaching against hate speech and someone is still here talking rubbish. We should learn to luv one another irrespective of tribe, religion or ethnicity. This is a common sermon both in Bible and Quran.
ReplyDeleteKanu called Nigeria zoo,Aisha called the whole citizens animals and at the same time referred to my president as a lion ,chai there is Godooo,what then shall we say about hate speech.
ReplyDeleteI think they federal government should allow the South East to have a referendum on their independence and secession. This is allowed under international law and the United nations code, which Nigeria is a member of. Let these people decide if they want to remain a part of Nigeria or not. It isnt always about war and I haven't heard IPOB or massob talk of wanting to go to war in order to gain their independence. All they are asking for is through a peaceful democratic process-referendum. We cannot sweep their agitation under the carpet anymore. So for peace to reign, allow referendum and put this matter to rest once and for all.
ReplyDelete