Ad hoinem attacks in nigerian news
Ad hominem attacks are a common phenomenon in Nigerian news, where individuals or groups attack the character or personal attributes of others rather than addressing the issue at hand. Here are some examples:
- Politicians attacking each other's character: During elections, politicians often engage in ad hominem attacks against their opponents, questioning their integrity, honesty, or even their mental health.
- Journalists criticizing each other's professionalism: Journalists in Nigeria have been known to attack each other's professionalism, accusing each other of bias, sensationalism, or lack of objectivity.
- Celebrities trading insults: Nigerian celebrities often engage in public feuds, trading insults and personal attacks on social media or in interviews.
- Religious leaders criticizing each other's beliefs: Religious leaders in Nigeria have been known to attack each other's beliefs, accusing each other of heresy or blasphemy.
- Social media influencers attacking each other's credibility: Social media influencers in Nigeria often engage in ad hominem attacks against each other, questioning each other's credibility, expertise, or even their mental health.
Some notable examples of ad hominem attacks in Nigerian news include:
- The feud between former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari: During the 2015 presidential election, both leaders engaged in ad hominem attacks against each other, with Jonathan accusing Buhari of being a dictator and Buhari accusing Jonathan of being corrupt.
- The controversy surrounding the #EndSARS protests: During the #EndSARS protests in 2020, some individuals and groups engaged in ad hominem attacks against each other, with some accusing others of being sponsored by the government or being "fake" protesters.
- The feud between Nigerian musician Wizkid and his former manager: In 2019, Wizkid's former manager, Godwin Tom, accused Wizkid of being ungrateful and abandoning him after he helped him achieve success. Wizkid responded by calling Tom a "liar" and a "thief".
- The controversy surrounding the Nigerian Senate's investigation into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS): During the investigation, some senators engaged in ad hominem attacks against each other, with some accusing others of being corrupt or incompetent.
It's worth noting that ad hominem attacks are not unique to Nigeria, and can be found in news outlets and social media around the world. However, the prevalence and intensity of these attacks in Nigerian news can be particularly high, often reflecting the country's complex social, political, and cultural dynamics.