There is a hunger strike that happens in Nigerian homes daily. It is not political. It is emotional. The child who "no dey chop" because they were denied something. The wife who "no dey chop" because of a marital slight. The husband who "no dey chop" because he is sulking. Food refusal is a communication tool. It says: I am hurt. I am angry. I am punishing you by punishing myself. The response is predictable. The mother begs the child. "Come and eat, I will buy you what you want." The husband apologizes to the wife. "Please eat, I am sorry." The family gathers around the hunger striker, negotiating with jollof. The fast is rarely long. Nigerian food is too good, and Nigerian guilt is too strong. But the manipulation is real. The hunger striker knows their power. They hold the family hostage with their empty stomach. "If you loved me, you would care that I'm not eating." It is emotional warfare disguised as appetite loss. And the medical fiction! "I have ulcer" is sometimes invoked to escalate the stakes. The hunger strike becomes a health emergency. The family must comply or face consequences. Who is the "I no dey chop" champion in your family? And have you ever used food refusal as a weapon?
