Sam Amadi Denounces Tribal Hate Speech and Calls for Individual Accountability

Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts and former Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), addressed the alarming rise of tribal hate speech in Nigeria.

Amadi’s comments were prompted by a disturbing incident involving a Canadian-based Igbo woman who called for violence against the Yoruba and Edo communities in Nigeria. This inflammatory call came in response to the “IgboMustGo” campaign in Lagos, which has heightened ethnic tensions across the country.

Amadi condemned the collectivization of guilt, emphasizing that “Criminals are individuals, not ethnics.” He argued that blaming entire ethnic groups for the actions of a few individuals reflects a “low civilization.”

He specifically criticized the woman in Canada who advocated violence against the Yoruba and Edo people and pointed to a social media user, @lagospedia, known for spreading hate speech against the Igbo community. Amadi stressed that these individuals should be held accountable for their actions, not entire ethnic groups.

Amadi’s statement calls for a shift in focus from ethnic scapegoating to individual accountability, advocating for justice that targets those responsible for inciting hatred rather than punishing entire communities. This approach, he suggests, would contribute to a more civilized and just society.