A wave of backlash has trailed Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), after she appeared to endorse a derogatory social media post that referred to the Igbo ethnic group in highly offensive terms.

The controversy began on Wednesday when Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) about Mercy, a Nigerian girl recently rescued from human traffickers in Libya.

While the original post was widely praised for highlighting the ongoing efforts to repatriate stranded Nigerians, the situation quickly escalated due to the comments of a user responding to it.

A user identified as @akerele_s commented under the post, using deeply offensive and ethnic slurs to describe the Igbo people, calling them “monkeys,” “children of gorillas,” and “bastards.”

“My sister, you are doing well. Allow those monkeys to continue making unnecessary noises… Kudos to you madam @abikedabiri,” the user wrote.

Shockingly, Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa reposted the comment with laughing emojis, a move interpreted by many as tacit approval of the inflammatory message.

The repost, visible on her timeline, has since garnered over 15,000 views, 53 reposts, and 100+ comments.

The action sparked immediate condemnation across social media, with users accusing the NIDCOM boss of promoting ethnic division and exhibiting tribal bias unbefitting of a public servant.

“This is the lowest I have ever seen in the history of Nigeria,” wrote user @O.David09926893.

“I thought this page was being handled by a responsible woman. Clearly, it’s not,” added @fybebreed.

Another user, @MrOzor1, commented:

“You never disappoint. You always show the stuff you are made of — a concatenation of vicious and virulent characters hidden behind makeup.”

Critics say the incident reflects a disturbing pattern, pointing to previous controversial remarks attributed to Dabiri-Erewa, including a 2019 statement in which she claimed that 20 out of 21 Nigerians on death row in Indonesia were from a single South-Eastern state.

As of the time of this report, Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa had not issued any public clarification or apology, despite the growing outrage.

Neither NIDCOM nor the presidency has released a statement addressing the situation.

Senator Godswill Akpabio,

As part of its nationwide constitution review process, the National Assembly held a public hearing in the South-East region on Wednesday, bringing proposed reforms directly to stakeholders in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The hearing featured key lawmakers and public figures, including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

In his remarks, Abbas outlined several reform areas currently under consideration, such as youth and women empowerment, constitutional roles for traditional rulers, state policing, and strengthening local government governance.

“We’ve had focused discussions around critical themes like security, political inclusion, appropriation, and equitable gender representation,” Abbas said.

“We are committed to aligning our legislative actions with the evolving aspirations of Nigerians.”

He revealed that the House was working on defining the role of traditional rulers within the governance framework, giving them clear constitutional responsibilities while maintaining democratic principles.

“This initiative aims to acknowledge the unique cultural values of Nigeria’s diverse communities while reinforcing local governance structures,” he noted.

Speaker Abbas emphasized the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening grassroots governance, stressing collaboration with state legislatures and local councils to devolve power and resources more effectively.

“We want communities to feel the real impact of government in their daily lives,” he said.

“Stronger local institutions will lead to better service delivery, more civic participation, and a democracy that truly reflects the people’s will.”

Addressing the concerns of young Nigerians, Abbas described them as the “strength and future” of the country.

He said the House was implementing programs like legislative mentorship, skills development, and leadership training to prepare youths for nation-building roles.

“We aim to broaden avenues for civic engagement and ensure young Nigerians are active contributors to national development,” he said.

On gender inclusion, Abbas expressed strong support for the Special Reserved Seats for Women Bill, describing it as a vital step toward inclusive governance.

“With only four women in the Senate and 15 in the House out of a total of 469 lawmakers, Nigeria is far behind other African countries in gender representation,” he lamented.

“We must take deliberate action to empower women and give them a stronger voice in leadership.”

He called on state governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society to support the bill and help bring it to reality, citing countries like Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa as examples of gender-forward legislatures.

Wednesday’s hearing marked the final phase of the three-stage public consultation, following earlier sessions in Abuja (June 11) and Zaria (June 27), covering the 36 states and 19 Northern states respectively.

Abbas concluded by reiterating the National Assembly’s resolve to directly engage citizens, listen to their concerns, and reflect their voices in the amended constitution.

“Our goal is not just to change the Constitution, but to build a more inclusive, accountable, and responsive governance structure for all Nigerians.”

Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Anambra State, Dr. George Moghalu, has strongly condemned what he described as ongoing verbal attacks by Governor Charles Soludo against the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Moghalu, speaking during campaign visits to Nawfija, Umunze, and Agulu in Orumba South and Anaocha local government areas, criticized Soludo for engaging in personal attacks rather than focusing on developmental issues.

“Elections should be about policies, ideas and progress, not name-calling or dragging people down,” he said.

The Labour Party candidate emphasized the importance of the upcoming November 8 gubernatorial election, describing it as a pivotal moment for Anambra’s future and the broader political aspirations of the Southeast.

“This election isn’t just about who governs Anambra for the next four years, it’s about setting the tone for the 2027 presidential race. If we truly want to see an Igbo presidency, Anambra must send a strong message by standing solidly behind Peter Obi,” Moghalu stated.

He argued that Obi, as the leading political figure from the region, needs a strong home base ahead of the next general election, stressing that the entire nation, especially Obi’s supporters, is closely watching the outcome in Anambra.

Addressing Governor Soludo’s repeated criticisms of Obi, Moghalu accused the governor of focusing more on undermining Obi than on showcasing his own achievements.

“It’s as if Soludo was appointed to pull Obi down instead of presenting his scorecard. But whether he likes it or not, Peter Obi has reawakened the political consciousness of the Igbo people and returned us to the national conversation,” Moghalu said.

Quoting scripture, he added:

“Fortune can be delayed but never denied. Power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He pleases.”

Moghalu vowed to provide purposeful, people-centered leadership if elected, promising never to let the people of Anambra down.

“I will not pass through this generation unnoticed. I will deliver visible projects and enduring policies that history will remember.”