Of GTBank, Innoson and Ethnic Jingoism

I have read different narratives of the ugly drama brewing between Innocent Chukwuma of the proudly Nigerian Innoson brand and another proudly Nigerian Commercial Bank.

Like many, I am discomforted by attempts to ethnicize a business deal gone sour. But I am appalled by a deliberate drive to demonize the Ibos for retreating into the cocoon of their Igbo heritage. I will elucidate on this shortly.

Admit it or not, Nigeria runs on the toxic fuel of ethnocentricism and the elite whether in politics, business or religion (another toxic strand of the Nigerian DNA) have deployed this centrifugal tool to full advantage. Sadly, this has always happened at the expense of the masses who should be wise enough not to be worked up into orgasmic fervour for what would profit them little or nothing. In the extant case, neither a run on the bank or a crash of the car company would benefit the ‘mekunus’ and ‘talakawas’ who are battle-drawn with very extreme posturings on the matter. At the end of the day, Corporatism (that demonic intercourse between the ruling elite and their economic collaborators) would trump the common interest and thereby result in stillbirth or abortion of popular aspiration. And life would go on. And on and on. Till the next class conflict contours into a public conflagration.

Now back to the issue of my being appalled at condemnations of the Ibos for making this a ‘we versus the rest of them’ affair. Why wouldn’t they? Why shouldn’t they? Why blame a race that have been told in no unmistakable terms that they are not good for the front row? Why blame a people who have been told to expect little or nothing for being the 5-percenters? Why hurl insults at a people who are only forced to recline to the warm cover of ‘Umunna’ as solace from a cold contrivance dictated and perpetuated by the State? I believe the Yorubas or Hausas would do same; just like the Urhobo, Ijaw and Nupe folks would. This is why I agree with Chido Onumah that we are indeed all Biafrans! The GTBank/Innoson affair is not appropriate avenue to attack the Ibos or any ethnic group for that matter. Rather, Nigerians should arise and tackle the common enemy. We know who they are already!