Pascal Oparada
Nigerians on Wednesday rallied behind Igbos against what many called genocidal threats by President Muhammad Buhari when he vowed to ‘deal with them in the language they understand’ a reference to the civil war which happened between 1967 through 1970.
Buhari’s tweets, which have since been deleted by Twitter for violating its policies and inciting violence, drew global condemnation.
Nigerians called for the microblogging website to give Buhari the Donald Trump treatment who was booted out from the platform for inciting the January 6 Capitol riots.
The hashtag, #IamIgboToo was used by Nigerians to unite behind the Igbos who lost three million people during the civil war.
“Got my First Degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Got my MSc from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
My Youth Service at Archdeacon Dennis Seminary Mbieri. IMO State.
I am Oluwatosin Chukwuemeka Gbenga
And #IamIgboToo,” Tosin Olugbenga said on Twitter.
@2MuchAkanni said: “The tribal hatred against Ndi-Igbo for decades could happen to any tribe. Don’t feel less concerned about it. If you can not show solidarity, just keep quiet.
Think about it. Why would a nation/government demonize her citizen. On no account should that even happen.
#IamIgboToo”.
Social media buff, Ogbeni Dipo tweeted and asked for de-escalation of hostilities in the southeast.
“Standing in solidarity with my Igbo brothers and sisters, I call for a de-escalation of the carnage going on in South-East Nigeria, dialogue, and common-sense solutions. These are better alternatives to militarisation by the FG & violence by unknown gunmen. #IamIgboToo #Ozoemena,” he said.
Buhari incurred the wrath of Nigerians who said his tweets were unpresidential and lack empathy at a time Nigeria needed healing from insecurity.
