Many of us, especially those of us that are regular social media commentors and readers are no longer thinking.
Instead we are reacting, at great expense to relationships, friendships, business associates and the unity of Nigeria.
And until we admit this, we will continue mistaking emotional loyalty for intelligence, and tribal defensiveness for wisdom.
As an Igbo man, what I have said and will say may offend some people, but truth does not stop being truth because it is uncomfortable.
One of the greatest problems facing many politically active Igbos today is not the lack of intelligence. In fact, the average Igbo person is naturally bold, entrepreneurial, intellectually competitive and highly aware. Our problem is something far more dangerous.
We have gradually lost the ability to calmly process viewpoints that do not emotionally satisfy our existing beliefs.
The moment somebody from another tribe says something critical, even when the person is objective, balanced and well intentioned, many people instantly shut down mentally and switch into tribal defence mode. No analysis. No critical thinking. No attempt to separate facts from emotions. Just immediate hostility.
Worse still, we now do it even to fellow Igbos who dare to tell uncomfortable truths.
The moment an Igbo person refuses to follow popular emotional narratives, he is attacked as a saboteur, traitor, coward, sellout or enemy. Arguments are no longer examined based on logic or facts, but on whether they emotionally reinforce group sentiments.
That is extremely dangerous. A people cannot rise intellectually while punishing internal honesty.
The painful truth is that historical wounds, political frustrations, insecurity, marginalization, and decades of distrust have created a defensive mindset amongst many of our people. This is understandable. But understandable behavior is not always productive behavior.
When a group becomes permanently defensive, it slowly loses the ability to self correct itself. And any society that loses the ability to self correct itself, eventually becomes trapped inside its own propaganda.
Social media has made this even worse. Outrage now spreads faster than wisdom. Tribal validation receives more applause than balanced reasoning. Calm thinkers are insulted, while aggressive emotionalism is celebrated as courage.
But shouting is not intelligence. Abuse is not analysis. Bitterness is not strategy, and tribal arrogance is not superiority.
The world is moving toward strategic alliances, economic competition, technological advancement and political realism, while many Nigerians, across different tribes, are still trapped in emotional ethnic warfare online.
As Igbos, we must be careful not to become prisoners of our pain. We must rebuild the ability to listen, analyse, disagree intelligently and think beyond emotions. We must stop treating every differing opinion as hatred. We must stop attacking every Igbo voice that refuses to echo popular sentiments.
Because true intelligence is not the ability to insult opponents. True intelligence is the ability to confront uncomfortable truths without losing emotional control.
And if we truly want progress, influence, respect and national relevance, then we must rediscover something greater than tribal loyalty.
Intellectual honesty, is what we must discover, and apply, so that peoples of all ethnicities in Nigeria will give us the respect we have the true ability to earn and live with.
I come to you this morning with a heavy heart, after reading so many comments from Facebook in the last twenty four hours.
Kindly note that this write up is not intended to exonerate any other ethnic group, but is a direct and specific message to my people, whom I care so much about.
I am, and resolutely remain
Hon. Chief Joseph Chukwuma Ikunna
13/05/26
OBLONG MEDIA GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE 
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