By Chuks Eke—
A social critic, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has warned that ethnic intimidation, reckless provocation, and statements capable of endangering national unity must not be tolerated in any civilised and democratic society.
He also warned that silence or inaction in the face of such dangerous rhetoric would constitute a grave failure of constitutional duty.
Ejiofor, in a press statement titled: “When political threats echo Rwanda: Why Nigeria must ruthlessly confront ethnic intimidation before it consumes the nation – The imperative of investigating Akin Fapohunda’s inflammatory rhetoric”, Ejiofor’s insisted that accordingly, if no visible investigative action is taken within 72 hours from today, he would personally proceed to institute a direct criminal complaint against Fapohunda in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“There must be a decisive end to impunity and reckless utterances capable of threatening public peace and national cohesion. Security agencies owe Nigerians a duty to thoroughly investigate any statement capable of provoking ethnic hostility, political violence, or public unrest, irrespective of the status, tribe, or political alignment of the person involved. Silence in the face of dangerous rhetoric may be interpreted as tacit approval, and history teaches that institutional indifference often fertilises the soil for national tragedies”.
“At a time when Nigerians are already burdened by severe economic hardship, insecurity, and deep social anxieties, the political class and influential voices must embrace restraint, moderation, and statesmanship, not incendiary declarations capable of tearing fragile national cohesion apart.”
Insisting that Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, Ejiofor further declared: “No ethnic group has a superior claim to nationhood, and no citizen should ever be threatened for exercising democratic choices. Political disagreements must never degenerate into ethnic hostility, intimidation, or veiled threats of violence”.
“The future of Nigeria can only be secured through justice, equity, mutual respect, and peaceful democratic engagement, never through fear, coercion, or ethnic blackmail masquerading as political advocacy. Let this serve as a solemn reminder that hate-filled rhetoric, if left unchecked, eventually consumes both the target and the society that tolerates it”.
“The reckless weaponisation of ethnicity for political intimidation is one of the gravest threats to national unity, democratic stability, and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria. History has repeatedly shown that nations do not descend into chaos overnight; they are gradually pushed toward the precipice by dangerous rhetoric, unchecked hate speeches, and the silence of institutions that ought to act decisively”.
“Recent statements credited to Afenifere chieftain, Akin Fapohunda, have understandably generated widespread concern, particularly among voters within particular ethnic blocs, resident across the South-West and Lagos State in particular. Any declaration that remotely suggests catastrophic consequences, violence, or genocidal comparisons should citizens exercise their constitutional right to vote according to conscience, is not merely irresponsible, it is profoundly dangerous”.
“Nigeria must never trivialise inflammatory ethnic rhetoric, especially one invoking memories reminiscent of the Rwanda genocide -a tragedy that remains one of humanity’s darkest chapters. The genocide in Rwanda did not begin with weapons; it began with poisonous rhetoric, ethnic profiling, fear-mongering, and threats disguised as political commentary. History warns us that words, when left unchecked, can become accelerants of violence”.
“What should deeply trouble every reasonable Nigerian is not necessarily whether the maker of such statements possesses the capacity to execute any implied threat, but rather the fearful atmosphere such rhetoric creates. Statements capable of instilling fear in millions of innocent citizens, discouraging them from participating in elections, or making them feel unsafe in any part of Nigeria, strike at the very heart of constitutional democracy”.
“It is therefore imperative that Nigeria’s security agencies rise above selective enforcement and demonstrate institutional neutrality. Nigerians still vividly recall how inflammatory ethnic tensions contributed to widespread hostility and avoidable casualties during the 2023 general elections, particularly in Lagos State. The nation cannot afford a dangerous replay of such toxicity ahead of 2027”.
“By this communication, I formally petition the relevant Nigerian security and law-enforcement agencies to immediately investigate the inflammatory utterances and conduct of Akin Fapohunda or else, I shall proceed to a court of competent jurisdiction and iron it out by myself”.
