Igbo unions and associations in the United Kingdom and the wider diaspora, under the umbrella of Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK, have petitioned President Bola Tinubu over what they described as hate speech and bigotry by the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
In a statement issued by the body signed by Chief Dr. Charles Ukandu, President; Barrister Ken Udeoka, Secretary General; and heads of all affiliated major Igbo unions in the United Kingdom, the group expressed utmost condemnation and profound disgust at Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s action.
In the petition, which was delivered through Ambassador Mohammad Maidugu, Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom; and copied to Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); President of the Senate; Speaker, House of Representatives; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the body noted: “It has been incontrovertibly established that the chairman actively amplified and endorsed a virulently hateful post to the global community using her official platform and the X social media handle.
“.. in question, authored by one Wale Akere, did not merely contain a casual slur; it launched a dehumanising tirade against citizens of South-Eastern extraction, referring to Igbos as ‘monkeys,’ ‘children of gorillas,’ and ‘bastards.’ “By choosing to repost this content, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa did not just overlook bigotry, she actively participated in it, sanctioned it, and broadcast this hate speech from her official platform to a global audience.”
Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK also expressed the view that “for a public official whose statutory mandate is to cater to and unite all Nigerians in the diaspora, irrespective of ethnicity, this action constitutes a gross and unforgivable dereliction of duty. It transforms her office from a beacon of inclusion into a platform for ethnic vitriol. “This incident is, regrettably, not an isolated misstep but part of a persistent pattern of disregard and discredit directed by the chairman towards one of Nigeria’s largest and most globally impactful ethnic groups.”
Following its discontent with the allegations, the diaspora group dissociated itself from Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and what it described as “the office she disgracefully occupies.”
Furthermore, the body declared a vote of no confidence in her leadership, which it said it considered irredeemably compromised and divisive. It also demanded her immediate removal from the office of chairman of NIDCOM.
“Consequently, we state unequivocally that until Hon. Dabiri-Erewa is removed from office, Ndi Igbo in the UK and the wider Diaspora will cease all participation in any activity, event, or initiative under the auspices of NIDCOM or her leadership. We cannot and will not engage with an institution led by an individual who endorses calls for our dehumanisation.
“We call on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to act decisively in the interest of national unity, social cohesion, and the fundamental dignity of every Nigerian citizen by removing her from this position of authority with immediate effect.
“We further call on the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom to fulfil its duty to foster unity and inclusion by publicly condemning this hate speech, alienating itself from her conduct, and supporting actions that heal rather than divide.
“Ndi Igbo, an ethnic nation of over 50 million people, will no longer tolerate being the target of state-sanctioned bigotry. We have a voice, and we stand firm in our demand for respect, dignity, and the immediate rectification of this grievous error.
“We call on all patriotic Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the international community to condemn this reprehensible act in the strongest possible terms. We await your urgent and decisive action.”
Heads of major Igbo unions in the UK who appended their signatures to the petition were Dr. Mrs. Daisy Nwaozuzu, President, Nzuko Ndi Igbo Dundee, Scotland (NNID); Uchenna Odunukwe Esq., President Igbo Union Milton Keynes (IUMK); Dr. Emmanuel Nwofe, President, Igbo Union Yorkshire (IUY); and Dr. Richard Ochiobi, President, Igbo Community Manchester (ICM).
Others are Barr. Kenneth Udeoka, President, Igbo Communities London, UK (ICL); Maazi Dozie Eluwa, President Oxford Igbo Union; Prince Emeka Mbadugha, President Igbo Union Swindon; Maazi Ken Uwakwe Odo, President Ndi Igbo North East England; and Comrade Christian Chukwu, President Igbo Community Association Liverpool (ICAL).
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