In the 21st century, leadership is more than holding office it is about embodying the values of unity, justice, and inclusion. That is why the recent petition by Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK against the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, deserves serious national attention.
For an official whose core mandate is to defend the dignity of Nigerians abroad, such conduct if confirmed is not just careless; it is a betrayal of public trust.
Nigeria is a nation still scarred by ethnic mistrust. Leadership at this delicate moment demands sensitivity, not recklessness. Hate speech in any form is poison to national unity, and when amplified by public officials, it sends a dangerous message that prejudice is acceptable in governance. That cannot and must not stand.
The demand by Ndi Igbo UK for Dabiri-Erewa’s sack may sound harsh, but it reflects the gravity of the matter. Public officials must know that actions have consequences, especially in the digital age where social media posts can inflame divisions across borders in seconds. If indeed she sanctioned or circulated hate-filled content, resignation or removal from office would not be too much to expect.
At the same time, fairness requires that accusations be thoroughly investigated. The Presidency cannot afford silence. A transparent inquiry into the matter will not only protect the rights of the accused but also reassure Nigerians that government takes the fight against hate speech seriously.
What is at stake here is bigger than one official. It is about the moral compass of Nigeria’s leadership. Can those tasked with promoting unity be allowed to fuel division? Can a nation aspiring to global respect ignore open bigotry in its institutions?
The answer must be no.
This is the 21st century, and Nigeria cannot afford leaders who undermine the very unity they are sworn to defend. If the allegations hold, Dabiri-Erewa has crossed the red line of leadership. And if she did not, then let a clear process exonerate her. Either way, accountability is non-negotiable.
In a multi-ethnic democracy, hate speech is not free speech, it is a weapon. And those who wield it, especially from positions of authority, must not escape responsibility.
Nigeria is a nation still scarred by ethnic mistrust. Leadership at this delicate moment demands sensitivity, not recklessness. Hate speech in any form is poison to national unity, and when amplified by public officials, it sends a dangerous message that prejudice is acceptable in governance. That cannot and must not stand.
The demand by Ndi Igbo UK for Dabiri-Erewa’s sack may sound harsh, but it reflects the gravity of the matter. Public officials must know that actions have consequences, especially in the digital age where social media posts can inflame divisions across borders in seconds. If indeed she sanctioned or circulated hate-filled content, resignation or removal from office would not be too much to expect.
At the same time, fairness requires that accusations be thoroughly investigated. The Presidency cannot afford silence. A transparent inquiry into the matter will not only protect the rights of the accused but also reassure Nigerians that government takes the fight against hate speech seriously.
What is at stake here is bigger than one official. It is about the moral compass of Nigeria’s leadership. Can those tasked with promoting unity be allowed to fuel division? Can a nation aspiring to global respect ignore open bigotry in its institutions?
The answer must be no.
This is the 21st century, and Nigeria cannot afford leaders who undermine the very unity they are sworn to defend. If the allegations hold, Dabiri-Erewa has crossed the red line of leadership. And if she did not, then let a clear process exonerate her. Either way, accountability is non-negotiable.
In a multi-ethnic democracy, hate speech is not free speech, it is a weapon. And those who wield it, especially from positions of authority, must not escape responsibility.
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