John Odigie-Oyegun condemns anti-Igbo hate song
- John Odigie-Oyegun advised those he referred to as ‘merchants of hate’, to learn lessons from the Rwandan Civil War; as he stated that it would be much worse if war breaks out in Nigeria
- The APC chieftain called all Nigerians to rise, regardless of political differences, and condemn these ugly and shameful acts with one voice
- He blamed politicians who lost out during the 2015 elections for trying to collapse the country because they are no longer in power
The rising wave of hate speech has been attributed to the outcome of the 2015 presidential election, by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun.
According to reports, the APC chieftain made his comments in response to an audio recording against Igbos which is currently in circulation.
READ ALSO: Anti-Igbo song: We would respond commensurately if any Igbos are harmed in the north - IYC
Describing the song as being “dangerous and despicable”, Oyegun stated that the fallouts of the 2015 elections are what has led to the rising wave of hate speech, negative religious and ethnic utterance and actions currently being experienced in the country.
He called for the arrest of those responsible for the recording.
He stated: “Every ethnic-based crises of whatever nature had started with hate speech.
“When people within the same country frame and define one another in the manner intended to set them up for violent attack, then they are setting themselves up for a major disaster.
“The ‘merchants of hate’ don’t know or just don’t care about the consequences of the fire they are stoking in the country. But they have the experiences of other countries to learn from.
“Rwanda remains a classic example on our continent.
“However, even as terrible as Rwanda was, it would be nothing compared to what could happen if a huge country like Nigeria is allowed to fall into the disaster of hate-driven conflict.
“This is why we must all rise, regardless of our political differences and condemn these ugly and shameful acts with one voice.
“Anyone participating in an election knows that there could only be two outcomes, you win or you lose. When you lose, you prepare for the next election.
“What we have seen however is that since 2015, some politicians and political groups have carried on as if they wish the country itself to collapse just because they are no longer in power.
“This is tragic indeed.
“We cannot sit idle and watch a few disgruntled individuals destroy our democracy.”
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the former Abia state governor Orji Uzor Kalu, strongly moved against a provocative song about Ndigbo currently circulating in the country.
Condemning all such hate speech, Kalu said Nigeria’s ethnic, religious, cultural and political diversity should be seen as an advantage rather than a minus.
Watch this Legit.ng TV about about the quit notice issued to Igbos living in the north.
Source: Legit.ng
