Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural body of the Igbo people, has urged President Bola Tinubu to dismiss Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), if she fails to tender an unreserved apology for alleged derogatory remarks against the Igbo nation.
In a statement jointly signed by Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Spokesman, Thompson Ohia, the organization accused Dabiri of promoting ethnic bias and consistently profiling Igbos, particularly those in the diaspora.
According to the group, Dabiri has repeatedly used her social media platforms to circulate content that paints the Igbo community in a bad light.
The statement noted: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo recognises that the grievous insults emanating from her statements are not isolated incidents but rather reflective of a troubling pattern of ethnic profiling and biased treatment specifically aimed at the Igbo people in the diaspora.”
The organization maintained that Igbo leaders have kept records of Dabiri’s selective and disparaging remarks, especially in situations where her office should have intervened to protect diaspora Igbos.
They alleged that “numerous complaints” have been made against her for neglecting her duty to safeguard the interests of Igbo citizens abroad.
Ohanaeze further described Dabiri’s failure to stand by Igbo nationals facing challenges overseas as a “serious indictment” of her office, and recalled a particular incident where Dabiri allegedly circulated offensive material that described Igbos as “monkeys,” a move the group condemned as “egregious and shocking.”
Calling for decisive intervention from the presidency, the statement added: “It is our fervent expectation that if Mrs Abike Dabiri fails to issue an immediate and unreserved apology to the Igbo nation, President Tinubu should consider her removal from office.
“Such action will send a resounding message that there is a zero-tolerance policy for the abuse of public office, insubordination, and the perpetuation of ethnic discrimination.”
Ohanaeze stressed that national leaders must uphold the dignity of every Nigerian community, especially marginalized groups, and ensure that public officials refrain from discriminatory conduct.
