Between Bold Clowns & Benevolent Dictatorship

My friend Obi Trice Emeka introduced me to the concept of “benevolent dictatorship”, and he argued that it is the best form of government for Nigeria with our capacities for taking democracy overboard. I had questioned why such thought would exist in the mind of a progressive young man I have continued to respect for his intellectual fecundity. Fortunately for him, the last five years have proven his thesis to be near correct in the light of the democratic devastation in the Southeast championed by a set of diaspora population that mistake careless talks for free speech. And bad behaviour for ruggedity.

For this group of lousy talking generation of diaspora irritants who cheered Nnamdi Kanu and encouraged Simon Ekpa, we are in the era where they must be told at every fora, where reasonable conversations about the development of any part of the Eastern homeland is the focus, to SHUT UP!

They have gotten under our collective skins long enough that anyone who has a member of their family in diaspora shouting “IPOB… One family” should be ashamed of themselves. The time to stay aloof and watch this open dance of shame by Ndi Igbo in far away countries should end or be met with open disgrace. Another set of diasporans who deserve open knocks are those who believe that “nothing good” ever exists in the homeland. They fish for and amplify bad/fake news at home to justify their decision to live abroad.

If I stand to ask a question anchored on misinformation or fake news, regardless of the source on the internet, my quick response would be to retract and then seek clarification on the actual information. Stretching what is visibly an offensive misinformation where the person in question is present can be irritating or suggestive of something more clandestine or sinister. But no, IPOB democracy is about a bravado in ignorance and bullying of anyone no matter how highly or lowly placed.

If you must shut up, please just SHUT UP! The collective image of Ndi Igbo cannot be left to bold clowns.

— Mazi Ejimofor Opara