Opinion
The Evils Of Male Chauvinism
For many years now, women have been struggling to achieve autonomy and freedom from man’s domination. Men by nature have domineering attitude which in most cases is oppressive and exploitative towards their female counterparts.
This is more rampant in African Societies where a man is believed to be the lord of the family. There is the wide belief that men are superior to women, resulting in the domination and even oppression of the womenfolk. This brings us to the issue of male chauvinism.
Male Chauvinism, according to………………. Is the belief, attitude or behavior of men who …… disparage or otherwise denigrate females in the belief that they are inferior to males and thus deserving of less than equal treatment or benefit.
The fanatical, boastful and unreasonable patriotism and ego, and by extension prejudiced belief by men has been a source of worry and concern to some radical female elite otherwise known as feminists, who believe that men and women are equal partners and creatures of God. This obviously informed the September 1995 Beijin Conference where women demanded equal rights with men.
It is, however, sad to note that in spite of feminist struggle and various agitations by women to be accorded equal rights with men, or at least be treated with respect and dignity, women still suffer domination and oppression from men. This is obvious in the high cases of rape, and domestic violence in our society, and even in the lopsidedness of elective positions or political offices occupied by women in a country like Nigeria.
Take for instance, the relationship between husband and wife, it is expected that they should be co and equal partners in marriage in such a way that the husband respects his wife, just as the wife respect her husband. But what we see in most marriages today is appalling and falls short of mutual respect.
I once observed this in one family here a man and a professed pastor tends to oppress his wife. He treats his wife with indignity and believes his only duty of his wife is to provide for her needs. His wife has no say in the affairs of the home. The man’s word is a law that cannot be challenged by his wife. Worst, this so-called man of God demands for sex at his own will and even sometimes have sexual intercourse with his wife against her will. If I may ask, is this act not tantamount to rape? Or is it cheer chauvinism?
Rape is no doubt any form of forced sexual intercourse or other sexual activity with another person without his or her consent. It is therefore, not out of place to accuse any men who force his wife to have sexual intercourse with him of rape.
The truth remains that it is not good enough to fight against general social inequalities and pass new laws without addressing the issue of male chauvinism in our society. Days are gone when people believed that male are the most superior in the world.
The world has gone beyond that stupid and erroneous belief. Nowadays, the trend is that what a man can do, a woman do to even better. Unlike before when men dominated all professions, and socio-economic endeavous, women are now in every field of human life like law, medicine, engineering, science, academics, excelling even better than their male counterparts.
In the United States of America, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party is a woman, Hillary Clinton.
Male chauvinism can also be related to male violence against women. This is getting more and more conspicuous and fatal in the whole of the western world. At the same time, social action both within the legal and the therapeutic arena deal almost exclusively with the obvious, extreme and tragic manifestations of violence.
However, if we accept that every act that uses coercion or other limitation against women’s freedom and dignity is violence, we must also recognize the countless forms f non-performance of responsibilities, abuse of power, violence and domination which men practice and which hitherto have passed unnoticed in everyday life.
Sometimes, male chauvinism takes a gradual process to metamorphose into something horrible or beyond imagination from the everyday male chauvinism. It comes in various forms such s verbal, violence, threats, beating, rape which sometimes result in death. This is very common among many families where internal crisis is a daily occurrence.
Male chauvinism has many effects both on the male who carries out the attack and the female who is at the receiving end. But the effects are more fatal on women.
Male chauvinism manifests in every life, and in all places including families, offices, schools and even markets, where men display superiority complex over their female counterparts. Even when women have better ideas that can promote or develop relationship, industry or even the society as a whole, men tend to discard such ideas and rather want to stick to their own no matter how unreasonable or hollow it is.
This attitude is not only undemocratic but has far-reaching effects on the psyche of women. Male chauvinism does not only deny women autonomy, but also assails their intellectual capacity. It creates bad working relationship in offices, tears family apart, limit the growth of women, reduce women dignity and self-esteem and even causes women emotional instability.
The way out of this is for women to insist on the implementation of the Beijin Conference Declaration. Any form of dissemination, domination or oppression must be resisted by women.
As a matter of fact, governments all over the world must have a legislation that frowns or even forbids male chauvinism in all strata of our society. Unless this is done, the society may continue to witness high cases of domestic violence, divorce, rape and socio-economic under-development that are common features in the third world countries.
Nwankwo is a student of Abia State University, Uturu
MaryRose Nwankwo
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
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