We use cookies to enhance our website and our service.AcceptDenyPreferences
Monday, November 25, 2024
Reuben Abati goes on anti-Igbo tirade, falsely claims no Yoruba can buy land in South-East Nigeria
Mr Abati said that as hardworking as the Igbos are, they withhold their lands from outsiders, implying that they are generally hostile to other trubes
Media commentator Reuben Abati on Thursday peddled a long-debunked conspiracy theory about land transactions in Igboland, claiming without evidence during a morning segment on Arise TV that no Nigerian of Yoruba origin can purchase land assets in the country’s South-East region.
His comments followed Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s praise of the entrepreneurial spirit of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, an Igbo lawmaker who passed away in July.
While acknowledging the industriousness of the Igbo people, Mr Abati quickly inserted his commentary that as hardworking as the Igbos are, they withhold their lands from outsiders, implying that they are generally hostile to other tribes.
As part of his argument, Mr Abati recounted a story he purportedly heard from T.O.S. Benson, a late Nigerian minister. According to Mr Abati, the minister, despite having an Igbo wife and daughter, was allegedly denied the opportunity to buy land in the South-East because he was not Igbo.
“It is the irony of Nigeria that the same Igbos who are so industrious that they’re all over and they do well in other parts of Nigeria,” the TV host said in his commentary on Thursday.
“You go there as a non-Igbo man to go and buy land, you’ll be told that you don’t belong, even as an in-law. These are the issues in my view,” Mr Abati said in his contemptuous hot take on Thursday.
However, Mr Abati’s claims were found to be false in that a Yoruba entrepreneur like Adetayo Amusan owns Polo Mall in Enugu, the region’s heartland.
Peoples Gazette also confirmed that businessman Mike Adenuga, a non-Igbo, has private and commercial assets on vast swathes of land across Abia state.
Nigerians of Yoruba origin are also known to live in South-East commercial hubs like Aba, Awka and Independence Layout neighbourhoods in Enugu State. Google Maps confirmed a street named after a Yoruba man, Dayo Okunlola, exists in Ugwuaji, Enugu state.
On Friday, Mr Abati adamantly refused to walk back his claim when his colleague, Ojy Okpe, asked him to, reading out a social media comment that said, “You cannot paint a whole tribe with one brush.”
Instead, he interrupted his colleague at intervals and yelled at her to “replay the tape again(sic). Ah! Replay the tape!”
“I was specific about what I said. Nobody should tell me any nonsense,” the Arise TV host blustered on air.
Despite Ms Ojy’s attempts to placate him by explaining that it was her “duty” to seek clarification on his anti-Igbo remarks, Mr Abati interrupted sharply, retorting, “No! No nonsense duty!” displaying a level of indignation that did not shock his other colleagues who seemed accustomed to his tactlessness and made no efforts to intervene.
“If people have a different opinion, they have anthropological evidence to support it, It is not for me to reverse myself,” insisted the TV host in light of glaring evidence stating otherwise.
He asked if Ms Okpe was the one challenging him under the pretext of social media feedback in an attempt to intimidate and silence her.
“Except you are expressing your own opinion, and then I will come after you and say you are wrong,” the TV host said in an attempt to bully his colleague.
Notwithstanding Mr Abati’s intransigence, Ms Okpe calmly concluded the topic, reiterating, “The conversation is that a whole tribe cannot be painted with one man’s experience.”
Mr Abati’s on-air conduct enraged netizens who wondered how he acted towards his younger colleagues off-air, given his brashness on live television.
about:blank
Suggested News
Cleans Blood Vessels Better Than Any Pill! Try It!
Drink This To Clean Blood Vessels And Make Blood Pressure 120/80
Pain In The Joint Will Disappear Once And For All
Arthritis: This Simple Remedy Heals Your Joints In 5 Days
Diabetes Disappears 100% If The Pancreas Recovers, By Eating This
Secret Way To Regenerate Your Joints In 5 Days
Diabetes Will Disappear In 7 Days, Sugar Will Fall To 3.9
Drink This To Keep Blood Pressure 120/80 And Clean Blood Vessels
T-Pain: List Of 5 Nicknames Nigerians Now Call Tinubu And Why!
Diabetes Gone Forever! Do This Before Sleeping
Tip Against Prostatitis: Do It Twice A Day
This Trick Eliminates Impotence At Home In 14 Days
“Overturn Mc Oluomo’s Inauguration, It’s Illegal” – Femi Falana
If You Hаve Hіgh Blооd Prеssurе, Rеad This Rіght Nоw
Get every story as it breaks
Name*
Email*
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Stakeholders laud Kano govt, seek more investment in education
Stakeholders in education have commended the Kano government for its ongoing efforts to improve the sector and called for increased investment to further enhance learning outcomes
NationWide
Tinubu’s govt promises promotion of Nigerians low-sulphur fuel, CNG
The federal government has assured Nigerians and all key stakeholders of adequate low-sulphur fuel and compressed natural gas promotion
Lagos
Pink Awards recognises Soyinka’s impacts
The Pink Awards has honoured Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka with the Lifetime Achievement Award for literary excellence and social impact
Politics
Lawmakers raise alarm over alleged plot to keep PDP NWC in office
Some opposition coalition lawmakers have raised alarm over an alleged plot to keep the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Umar Damagun in office till 2027
Africa
Africa’s youth catalyst for sustainable transformation, say experts
The experts spoke during a panel discussion at the ongoing AEC 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana.
Africa
AEC 2024: Researchers suggest strategies for addressing Africa’s challenges
African researchers have presented critical insights and recommendations to address key challenges bedevilling African economies.
Get every story as it breaks
Name*
Email*
\
- In an era of fake news and overcrowded media marketplace, the journalists at Peoples Gazette aim to provide quality and practical information to help our readers stay ahead and better understand events around them. We focus on being the balanced source of true, stimulating and independent journalism.
- The Peoples Gazette Ltd, Plot 1095, Umar Shuaibu Avenue, Utako, Abuja.
- +234 805 888 8330.
Quick Links
Follow
© 2024 Peoples Gazette™ Limited.
✕Subscribe to receive push notifications on latest updatesSUBSCRIBE⚡ by WebpushrWould you like to receive notifications on latest updates?YESNOT YET
Promoted Content
Diabetes Disappears 100% If The Pancreas Recovers, By Eating This
Your Prostate Will Be Restored In 3 Days! Do This Every Night!
https://usync.ingage.tech/?gdpr=0&gdpr_consent=&us_privacy=&r=https%3A%2F%2Fcm.mgid.com%2Fm%3Fcdsp%3D834146%26c%3D%24UID
