By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
The Coordinators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Asiwaju Support Organisation (ASO) in Texas, USA, have strongly rejected a recent statement by Steve Osuji titled “Abike Must Resign.”
In a statement signed by Engr. Tayo Ogunjimi, the group, defended the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, noting that she has never displayed bias along ethnic or tribal lines in the discharge of her duties. The group described Osuji’s comments as divisive and capable of fueling unnecessary ethnic tension.
They praised Dabiri-Erewa, popularly known as “Mama Diaspora” and “Mother Teresa” for her compassion, consistency, and commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
According to the group, her pioneering role in promoting diaspora affairs has placed Nigeria on the global stage.
The statement further described her as a “sterling Nigerian amazon” an accomplished broadcaster turned parliamentarian who continues to distinguish herself as a fair, firm, respected, and courageous leader devoted to national service.
Dabiri-Erewa championed and co-sponsored numerous bills, many of which are now law, including the Freedom of Information Bill, Violence Against Persons Bill, Bill for the full integration of Nigerians with physical disabilities, Nigerian Infant Health Welfare Bill (ensuring free medical care for children under 5), Nigerian Diaspora Commission Bill (leading to the establishment of NiDCOM), Bill to replace the Nigerian Press Council with the Nigerian Press and Journalism Council, Bill to rename the Women Development Centre to Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development, a bill to amend the Railway Act to allow private sector and state participation, and a bill to promote the advancement of Nigerian women and girls.
She served with diligence, effectiveness, and passion as the Pioneer Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), a Commission responsible for initiating policies that recognise and harness the potentials of Nigerians in Diaspora Networks and Organisations. As NiDCOM chair, she has put diaspora issues on the front burner with innovative programs and activities under her leadership.
Hon. Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON has been a voice for the voiceless and remains a symbol of hope and inspiration to many. Not surprisingly, she has been conferred with over 400 awards and recognitions, nationally and internationally, for her unique achievements. Conferred with a National Honour, Order of the Niger (OON) National Award, an honorary doctorate in Arts, Broadcasting, Community Integration, and Human Rights Advocacy from Lagos State University (LASU) and the Nigerian Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) Distinguished Award for Pacesetter in Diaspora Affairs.
Her comportment, integrity, virtues, and ideals are indeed qualities worthy of emulation, and her guiding philosophy at all times is that success is not about age, it is not about character, it is not about how much you have, but how many lives you can touch. She is married to Mr Segun Erewa and blessed with children and grandchildren.
By any standard of fair commentary, Steve Osuji’s piece titled “Abike Must Resign” is not only one-sided but tragically anchored on falsehoods, mischief, and a clear unwillingness to examine facts before reaching sweeping conclusions.
Let it be said upfront: Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has never described Igbos or any ethnic group as “monkeys” or “baboons.”
To continue to regurgitate this tired fabrication is to deliberately weaponise misinformation for ethnic sensationalism. THE FACTS:The social media incident, which commentators like Osuji have twisted, is well documented.
An anonymous X handle had, for months, hurled vile insults at Mrs Dabiri-Erewa, including calling her “Mother Ape.” Another user mocked that account by replying with a gorilla analogy. Dabiri-Erewa responded with emojis directed at the user who insulted her, not at any ethnic group.
Mischief makers then turned this into a false narrative that she was mocking the Igbo race. That is the origin of this controversy nothing more, nothing less. To then claim she gleefully labelled Igbos “monkeys and baboons” is not only dishonest but malicious.
The same Abike Dabiri-Erewa Osuji who paints as a “hater of Igbos” has, over the years, stood firmly for Nigerians of all ethnicities. If she bore the alleged hatred, why would she:Facilitate the rescue of Alexander Udoma and Eboh Kenneth Chinedu, two young men from the South East stranded in Bosnia-Herzegovina?Lead interventions in Ghana, where Nigerian traders, the majority of whom are Igbos, faced harassment?
The Nigerian Union of Traders Association Ghana (NUTAG) publicly praised her in 2020 for “standing boldly for Nigerian traders, many of whom are Igbo, at a time when our livelihoods were under threat.”
During the Sudan evacuation crisis, Spearhead efforts ensured students from the South East returned safely, while declaring: “Every Nigerian is our responsibility regardless of state or tribe. No life is more important than another.”
Engage tirelessly during the xenophobic attacks in South Africa (2019), ensuring Nigerians (including Igbo students) were evacuated and compensated, earning praise from the Nigerian Students Union in Johannesburg.
Oversee the rescue of over 200 trafficked girls from Ghana, of which 163 were from the South East. The list is endless: from Libya to Ukraine, from CAR to South Africa, Dabiri-Erewa has been consistent. Igbo leaders in the diaspora, including Prof. Jude Osakwe (NIDO Africa), Chibuzor Ugochi (NIDO Europe), and Chief Callistus Eleziowua (NIDO Ghana), have openly testified to her detribalised, humane and bridge-building nature. OSUJI’S CREDIBILITY PROBLEM.
It is also important to remind the public that Mr Steve Osuji is not exactly a paragon of journalistic integrity. Only in July 2025, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) suspended him for one year for violating the core ethics of the profession by breaching an “off the record” agreement at its Biennial National Convention.
The Guild, in a statement signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, described Osuji’s conduct as unprofessional, embarrassing, and a compromise of journalistic integrity.
When a journalist suspended by his own peers for unethical practice now mounts the pulpit to lecture others about honour, the irony is difficult to miss. THE DANGER OF OSUJI’S NARRATIVE.
Osuji may dress his essay in the language of justice, but in truth, it creates a hate figure for public attack. By reducing every disagreement or social media misstep to “tribal hatred,” he deepens the toxic divisions already straining Nigeria’s fragile unity.
It is both unfair and shameful to suggest that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa is running an “anti-Igbo script” under the Renewed Hope administration. Here is a woman with over four decades of consistent public service a trailblazing broadcaster, a distinguished lawmaker, and now the Chair of NiDCOM who has stood firmly in defense of Nigerians abroad, without bias or favour.
Accountability in public discourse is vital, but it must rest on truth. Dabiri-Erewa’s record speaks for itself. As the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council once acknowledged after she intervened in Ghana: “We may disagree with government policies, but we cannot ignore the fact that Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa has stood up for Igbo traders time and again.” She has shown empathy and courage when it mattered most.
To continue demonising her with falsehoods is to harm our collective progress as a nation. Social media mobs may thrive on half-truths, but respected journalists like Steve Osuji should not fuel them.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa owes no one a resignation over baseless accusations. What she deserves is recognition for her consistency in protecting Nigerians Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, or otherwise wherever they may be in the world. History, not sensational headlines, will vindicate her.
The group therefore calls on the public to disregard Steve Osuji’s mischievous and unfounded claims against Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
