BY VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO
victoriangozii@gmail.com 08033077519
 
Insults, ridicule and mockery are the common denominator in comments section of social media. This is a reflection of how majority of Nigerians are. For, the average Nigerian is cantankerous, flying off the handle at slightest provocation. Consider that a woman, mother while scolding a child uses such intemperate language as  ‘goat, animal, foolish, stupid,’ etc.  We may argue that the social media is an all comers place, comprising many immature people that regale in toxic language. But what do we say then, of highly educated persons, holding very high offices indulging in this type of errant behaviour? Indeed, I am tempted to believe that the average Nigerian learnt this coarseness with accompanying trait of being talkative, from  our politicians. Like children that learn through imitation, Nigerians as followers follow the footsteps of their leaders, those leading them. We all look up to our leaders to set the marker for good conduct. But  when the average Nigerian politician consistently behave in a conceited manner employing corrosive language in addressing his fellow human being, the average Nigerian is bound  to imbibe such, believing that that is what propelled them to the high positions they are occupying.
 
 And that is the case generally, for, deriding people and combative attitude is increasingly becoming the order of the day in streets, homes, schools, offices, commercial vehicles, aircrafts, etc, etc.  Flippant and toxic talks used to be the staple of market women,  low fliers, they are called. Now however, even the high and influential in our society have joined the fray, thereby bringing themselves to such low levels. Take the case of Anambra state’s first citizen, a man of intellect, being a professor, a man that had traversed many countries (both first and third world countries), a man that had been Nigeria’s number one treasurer as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, a man that served as consultant to many international organisations, a Professor of Economics. With such intimidating academic laurels, one could vow that he is an embodiment of finesse when speaking. Alas, his latest railing against his brother who once occupied the seat he is now occupying as governor, Peter Obi, left me perturbed.
 
   Following his landslide victory in the just concluded Anambra gubernatorial election in which the Labour candidate supported by Peter Obi was placed 4th with relatively paltry votes, the governor launched a kind of diatribe against him. He described him as a “frustrated, serial loser”.  He said that despite the 2023 Labour presidential candidate’s appeal to his community not to let him down in the election, he was still defeated by APC in his very own polling unit while APGA won all four wards in his  Agulu community. According to the governor PO never imagined such monumental loss, so it was understandable according to him  that such huge political defeats is affecting him mentally. He added that he might constitute a committee of friends to persuade PO  to go spend some time at the fun city (entertainment hub established by him) to relieve him of the frustrations, stress, depression that is apparently taking a toll on him.
 
It all reeks of ridicule. Such mockery is unbecoming of a professor,  unworthy of a leader whose actions impact millions of his people. Having won with historic figures Soludo’s mockery of his opponents was pointless for the statistics speak for him. Actions (the results) speak louder than words.  Why still rub in this comprehensive defeat  in faces of your co- contestants  and their supporters? Except perhaps there is an ulterior motive,  to cause much harm?
 
    In the run up to the election. Governor Soludo had through his apparent penchant for ridiculing people triggered a dirty war of words between the state’s First Lady (his wife) and the deputy governorship candidate of the APC, Uche Ekwunife. It all started when the governor accused Ekwunife of parading forged Ph.D certificate and wondering how she gained admission to  University when according to him, she did not make the required papers in her G.C.E result; allegations that she denied. He had also publicly berated the governorship candidate himself (Ukachukwu) for failing some subjects in his own G.C.E certificate that he submitted to INEC. Ekwunife fired her own salvo at the governor.  She called him an “illiterate” professor with questionable professorship. And she told the governor, “When you open your mouth to speak, the odour that comes out is so stinking and embarrassing… You are the dirtiest governor in the whole of Africa…Tell your wife to get you deodorant when you bathe apply it to your armpit so you can be like your fellow men’’. Mrs. Soludo then  joined the brawl, both women spewing dirt, accusing each other of infidelity. It was a shameful spectacle as both high-classed women dragged womanhood to the mud.  The Anambra First Lady then released this statement.
 
 “Since Ekwunife claims to be a converted Catholic, I challenge her for both of us to swear an oath of fidelity and chastity at any Cathedral in front of the Blessed Sacrament and the Bible. I will swear (with my children) that in my 55 years on earth I have known only one man – Chukwuma Soludo. On your part, you should also swear (with your children or your political ambitions) that since you got married you have never cheated on your husband. I challenge you Uche Ekwunife for us to subject our children to paternity tests in three reputable hospitals in London. I will pay all expenses including travel for you and your family”.
 
   Right thinking persons were relieved somehow,  when Ekwunife later apologised.  However, it was rather too late for the spoken words had been let out into the firmament, permanently etched there from where they would continue to be referenced. And all fingers will continue to be pointed at the governor for having stirred  this mess  with his  brash talk of certificate forgers and people with low education wanting to rule a state like Anambra replete with world class academics according to him. This is a democracy and the choice lies with the majority. If the people decide through their votes to choose a so called dullard as their governor, so be it. In a democracy the best candidate does not often win.  Some say it is  anger that pushes them to utter unsavoury words and act in an uncouth manner. Anger is temporary madness. Whoever succumbs to it makes himself/herself prey for the darkness. Anambra state prides itself as “Light of the Nation”. Aforementioned high profile uncouth, toxic behaviours emanating even from the highest place belie this.   Regarding the current federal capital territory (FCT) minister, his inclination to crude language seems legendary, dating back years ago. I have had cause in at least two past articles to urge him to rethink his demeaning attitude to those that cross his path. And now a former governor of Ekiti state, a leader in his own right, Chief Peter Ayodele Fayose has disrespectfully called a retired General and former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo a mad person that should be confined to a zoo. Words as stupid, foolish, go and hug a transformer and the like should never  be on the lips of our politicians cum leaders, no matter the provocation.  Ridiculing, besmirching, insulting our fellow human beings  is pleasing only to the Darkness/Devil.
Victoria Ngozi Ikeano writes via victoriangozii@gmail.com  08033077519