KINGSLEY EBERE
The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), over derogatory comments against Ndigbo.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the demand was contained in the press release signed by their Deputy National President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and the National spokesman, Chief Chimereze Ohia respectively.
The statement read:
“The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is compelled by its unwavering duty to condemn in the strongest possible terms the continued pattern of derogatory stances and demeaning conduct exhibited by Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), particularly towards Ndigbo, and especially those residing in the Diaspora.”
“Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa owes the Igbo nation an immediate and unequivocal apology for her actions, which have demonstrably promoted bigotry and disseminated defamatory content on her social media platforms, most notably X (formerly Twitter). “
“These pronouncements have, regrettably, portrayed the Igbo nation as an object of ridicule on the global stage, constituting, in the estimation of Ndigbo, a collective insult to the dignity and psyche of every Igbo person, both at home and abroad.”
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s concerns have been heightened by the established record of Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who has been subject to serious accusations regarding consistent ethnic profiling and biased treatment directed towards Igbos in the Diaspora. For an extended period, the Igbo leadership has meticulously monitored her selective, disparaging commentary and disdainful attitudes directed at Diaspora Igbos. Numerous complaints and petitions received by Ohanaeze from the Diaspora Igbos reveal a disturbing pattern: these individuals are frequently left to fend for themselves in various continents, including Asia, Europe, and America, often facing adverse circumstances without adequate support. Her office has been accused of failing to intervene effectively to protect numerous innocent Nigerians, thereby failing to prevent their unjust incarceration.”
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo has observed with profound concern how a public office holder like Abike Dabiri-Erewa has openly shared disparaging posts on her social media platforms, where Igbos were referred to with deeply offensive language, including the derogatory term “monkeys.” This offensive content, shared amidst widespread public outrage, remained undeleted and unaddressed for an extended period.”
“With the utmost respect and candor, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has resolved to convey this “Unvarnished and uncomfortable message to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This serves as the collective voice and appeal of the Igbo people, urging the Presidency to call the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to order. We implore her to recalibrate her attitudes and abandon the sectionalism and bigotry that has become associated with her conduct towards Ndigbo, who are constitutionally entrusted to her protection abroad.”
“Should Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa fail to demonstrate remorse, repentance, and immediately tender an unreserved apology to the Igbo nation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally demands that President Tinubu take decisive action and relieve her of her duties. This is crucial to serve as a deterrent lesson to all public office holders and to firmly establish a policy of zero tolerance for the abuse of office and blatant acts of insubordination” the group stated.