Amaechi Versus Abaribe, Nigerians React Over Who Is More Igbo

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Sunday, March 14th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A former River State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has sparked social media reactions concerning his statement that he is more Igbo than the senator representing Abia South in the National Assembly, Enyinnaya Abaribe.

It all started when Amaechi who is now the minister of transportation in an interview while reacting over Abaribe’s criticism of the Ruling All Progressives Congress stated that he is more Igbo than the Senator.

He said, “The criticisms of the opposition did not influence our decision to extend the rail line to the Eastern corridor. Sen. Abaribe is not more Igbo than I am. My surname is Amaechi, but no Igbo man can tell you the meaning of Abaribe.”

This statement sparked media reactions as many Nigerians took to the micro-blogging platform to wade into the issue and explain the meaning of ‘Abaribe’. The African Examiner brings some of their views below:

Sobayo_AJQ@Sobayo_AJQ writes: “Rotimi Amaechi from Rivers State, Sen. Abaribe is from Abia State, but the Minister is claiming to be more Igbo than the Senator. It sounds like someone from Kogi State claiming to be more Yoruba than a person from Osun State.”

theonly1acre@theonly1acre writes: “Garrulous Amaechi has launched a smear campaign against our own Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe,more or less about him being more Igbo than the Senator. Who will tell the Clown of Ubima that signaling as an Igbo man, whom no one has denied him, doesn’t make him less an empty barrel.”

Chikwadom@Esiaga writes: “Rotimi Amaechi is trying to score cheap points. You are asking the meaning Abaribe why didn’t you ask the meaning of Enyinnaya? Or isn’t that part of his name? Foolberty.”

Big CH@RealDimgba writes: “Abaribe means “wealth of the kindred.” Abara – wealth/glory Ibe – kindred Leave people who don’t go to their villages to be saying nonsense. Now, let the ‘pure Igbo man’ tell me what Rotimi means (in Igbo) in his name.”

Bolqs@Bolqs writes: “Amaechi claims to be an Igbo man yet he doesn’t know the meaning of Abaribe.”

Henry O@MrOnos147_ writes: “If you are swayed from serious National issues by Amaechi’s unintelligent “jab” at Sen Abaribe, you are no different from those that plunge us into this stream of incompetence & divisiveness. When you go out on Monday and you hear Tfare, body go tell you. Continue dey laff.”

The Times of Abbanogu@abbanogutimez writes: “Abara means wealth of glory Ibe means kindred or people Abaribe wealth or glory of the people.”

Obrigado@Obrigado_01 writes: “Enyinnaya: means His father’s friend. Abaribe means: Am wealthy for peers.”