By Oseloka Zikora
We live in dangerous times when false information are now regarded as alternative facts and people pay scarce attention to truth and facts.
The obligation to fact check information before dissemination is so much disregarded because it doesn’t tickle the fancy of cloud chasing.
This phenomenon feeds on the delusion of populism devoid of logical and/or critical thinking. Why do fact-check when sensational lies thriving on conspiracy theorie appeal more to the crowd?
And so, the latest victim is Maj. General Lucky Eluonye Onyenuchea Irabor, newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff. Since it was President Muhammed Buhari who appointed him, it is just not possible for the President to appoint a Southern Minority Christian whose ancestral lineage is Igbo.
So the indegenous people of Biafra IPOB, warns all Igbos not to be carried away by the President’s appointment of this distinguished Army General from Delta State.
According to a short statement spreading like wild fire and entitled: “Biafrans don’t be deceived,” the group noted.
“Major General Leo Irabor is the new Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff. He is from Ika, Delta State, but Biafrans open your eyes very well, do not be deceived by this appointment, Leo Irabor is a Muslim, he converted to Islam many years before now, his wife is an Hausa Fulani Muslim and she is from Kastina state.
“If you don’t know, Major General Leo Irabor built one of the biggest mosque in Agbor.”
Nothing can be further from the truth. Yes Major Gen. Irabor is from Aliokpu-Agbor in Ika South LGA of Delta but that is where the truth in the IPOB statement ended with a big FULL STOP.
The rest are figments of delusionary imagination steeped in lies from the deepest pit of hell.
Gen. Irabor, contrary to the trending fake news, is a practicing Christian of the Anglican Faith and a leading member of his Home Diocese – the Anglican Diocese of Ika.
The wife, Bar. Mrs Vickie Irabor, on the other hand hails from Ute Erumu in Ika North East LGA of Delta State from a renowned Anglican Family (The Okubors).
Her immediate elder brother is husband to the Chancellor, Diocese of Ika Anglican Communion, Barr. Mrs. Ewerre Okubor.
Now, I must say that it would have been within Gen. Irabor’s inalienable rights to profess whichever faith he wishes to and marry from whatever tribe he so desires or finds love. However, it is unconscionable to spread lies about such matters concerning the gentleman officer.
The intention being no other but to tar President Buhari with soot and create the impression that nothing else matters to him than propagating nepotistic interests.
To IPOB, Buhari just can’t do right and they must instigate group hatred about him. And if Irabor is demonized in the process to weaken confidence in his ability to perform with patriotic fervour, so be it.
Now this is not surprising. What is is that people ordinarily expected to reason better, bought into the cheap lies and are quick to help spread them.
Bio: Zikora is a Communications Consultant and Chairman, Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Fellow, at University of Dundee UNESCO Centre for International Water Law.
