Nigerians descends on Abike Dabiri for calling Twitter user ‘ode’

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has come under fire for using a vulgar word in response to a Twitter user’s brash comment.

The former lawmaker, who was responding to the report of an ongoing fracas between the Indians and Nigerians at the University campus near Delhi on Monday, was met with the rude comment by a social media user.

Reacting to the insult, Dabiri-Erewa called the user “ode” – which means “fool” – adding that the said user went to Indonesia to engage in cultism and drugs.

However, her response has come under fire from those who felt disappointed and expected more from an “employee of the Nigerian government.”

Below are some reactions from Twitter

@abikedabiri Abike you should be very ashamed of yourself. Just because I told you to stop doing yeye eye service and concentrate on rescuing many innocent Nigerians locked up abroad especially in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, you turned around to say I went to do cultism /1 pic.twitter.com/ZmTOli71kz

— Aggressively Obedient – Avoid me. (@sensegiver1) October 17, 2022

She doesn't get the point. If you had called him mumu, it's a different thing. You stereotyped the citizens you're expected to plead their cause to the International Community. Next time you want to act on their behalf, the Countries will direct you to this tweet. https://t.co/xZgqkPB9jH

— Ridwan Oke (@Ridwanullahii) October 18, 2022

Dear Abike @abikedabiri , What is this? ????????‍♀️. Kai. This is messy. Please clean it up. Quickly. Please.✍???? https://t.co/TQ5lc1qIxv

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) October 18, 2022

This is a foul breach of propriety and common decency, Abiri. You’re an employee of the Nigerian government not a garrulous market woman and private citizen.

Delete this post immediately and have some respect for the Nigerian people https://t.co/IYvv4GHNOg

— Dr Aloy Chife (@ChifeDr) October 18, 2022

Lmaooo! Foreigners will stereotype young Nigerians, and we will excuse them for not knowing better, but when the very person that is supposed to be protecting our interests in the diaspora stoops this low because of personal exchanges on here, it is nothing but disappointing! https://t.co/KKLKacIL8E

— Cross˚ (@Elkrosmediahub) October 18, 2022

If you aren't interested in the position you presently hold anymore, STEP DOWN so that you can feel free to insult the people you're meant to protect in public. Diplomacy is part of your job Abike! You didn't even need to respond him! https://t.co/fqV42B1Fko

— Amos Dede (@ams8071) October 18, 2022

This is the official Twitter account of the Head of Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) accusing a young Nigerian of pushing drugs in a foreign country.

A Government Official ????????????????.

In a sane country, this woman should be losing her job first thing this morning. https://t.co/LDB0AKDpAy

— SportsDokita (Odogwu ☝️) (@Sports_Doctor2) October 18, 2022

that this woman has kept her job as the chair of the nigerian diaspora commission — a pretty useless body in its own right — is all the evidence you need that it's not what you know, but who you know, that matters. https://t.co/cqcqkH1QpD

— Chris O. Ògúnmọ́dẹdé (@Illustrious_Cee) October 18, 2022

If Nigeria was a sane country, there’s no reason this woman should be doing anything other than hawking Agege bread around ijesha https://t.co/yrxPlG1klS

— Joey (@Joey__Deee) October 18, 2022

Open disdain and unsubstantiated accusations like these are seen as factual by foreign policy makers which further reinforces their stereotypes of Nigerians.

If our own officials say so, who are they to not believe them? https://t.co/n8Q8tlF7bx

— UncleFarr (@UncleFarr) October 18, 2022

From a govt official? This is unbelievable! Indeed, elections have consequences. https://t.co/YkTSZLRzed

— Aku-N’esi-Obi-Ike (I) (@Makavelli275) October 18, 2022