In a recent video on Arise Tv, political analyst Dayo Sobowale has called for caution and responsibility in addressing issues of national unity. Sobowale specifically criticized the term “Igbo-phobia,” labeling it as inflammatory and a misuse of language.
Sobowale emphasized the significant role that social media plays in shaping political discourse and the potential it has to cause confusion and division. “Social media is running politics literally all over the world and causing confusion,” he noted. “We need to deal with these issues objectively and gently in the interest of our political stability.”
Reflecting on the painful history of the Nigerian Civil War, Sobowale warned against the use of rhetoric that could reopen old wounds. “We know the consequences of the Civil War, and everyone wants to put it behind us,” he said. “But we must be cautious of inflammatory language and rhetoric that can reignite old wounds.”
He stressed that the focus should be on addressing the actions and statements that threaten national unity, rather than resorting to divisive terminology.
According to him, “I deplore the use of the word Igbophobia. It is a misuse of language and is inflammatory. The Igbo are not strangers in Nigeria; they are part and parcel of this country. Social media is running politics literally all over the world and causing confusion. We need to deal with these issues objectively and gently in the interest of our political stability. We know the consequences of the Civil War, and everyone wants to put it behind us. But we must be cautious of inflammatory language and rhetoric that can reignite old wounds. Igbo-phobia,” the focus should be on addressing the actions and statements that threaten national unity. “We must respect our diversity and not allow technology to destabilize our society.”….Seē_Morē
