The Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Thursday, raised an alarm over the maltreatment of Igbo living in various countries, accusing the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, of continuous derogatory, demeaning conduct and neglect of Igbos in diaspora.

In a statement in Abakaliki, factional Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa’s actions, particularly her dissemination of bigoted and defamatory posts on her social media platforms, most notably her X (formerly Twitter) page, have portrayed a caricature of the Igbo nation to the world, which he described as unacceptable.

He maintained that reports indicate that her office has repeatedly failed to intervene effectively in critical situations, where innocent Nigerians, particularly those of Igbo descent, suffer unwarranted consequences, including wrongful incarceration.

He noted that Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s concerns are not merely anecdotal but are substantiated by the pattern of behaviour and antecedents of the NiDCOM chairman, adding that over the years, the Igbo leadership has meticulously documented her alleged ethnic profiling and biased treatment towards Ndigbo in the Diaspora.

“We have received numerous complaints and petitions detailing instances where Diaspora Igbos, facing hardship and adversity in various corners of the globe, from Asia to Europe to the Americas, have been left to their own devices, seemingly abandoned by the very office constitutionally mandated to protect them,” he hinted.

“We implore the Presidency to immediately call her to order, and we demand she be instructed to rectify her sectional and bigoted attitudes towards Ndigbo, whose welfare her office is constitutionally obligated to safeguard,” he added.

According to him, a particularly egregious incident involved the public dissemination and subsequent retention of a social media post on Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa’s platform that referred to Igbos with a deeply offensive slur.

He noted that despite widespread outrage and condemnation, the post remained accessible, amplifying its hurtful impact and reinforcing the perception of callous disregard for the sensibilities of Ndigbo.

He said, “The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is compelled by its unwavering commitment to the welfare and dignity of Ndigbo, both at home and abroad, to condemn in the strongest possible terms, the continuous derogatory and demeaning conduct of Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s concerns are not merely anecdotal; they are substantiated by the pattern of behaviour and antecedents of Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa. Over the years, the Igbo leadership has meticulously documented her alleged ethnic profiling and biased treatment towards Ndigbo in the Diaspora”.

The organisation added, “Furthermore, should Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa fail to demonstrate remorse through an immediate, unreserved apology to the Igbo nation, President Tinubu must take decisive action.

“Zero tolerance will be afforded to any individual who abuses their position to exhibit bigotry, insubordination, or any other form of conduct that undermines the unity and dignity of the Nigerian people.

“This is not merely a matter of political expediency; it is a matter of principle, justice, and the fundamental right of Ndigbo to be treated with respect and dignity within the Nigerian federation.” (Adapted from a Guardian report)

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