The chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has been labelled “grandmother of bigotry” for amplifying an X post that referred to Igbos, citizens of the South-East extraction, as monkeys and gorillas.

On Wednesday, Peoples Gazette reported how Mrs Dabiri-Erewa reposted a post by one of her followers, Wale Akere, lauding her efforts while referring to Igbos as “monkeys, children of gorillas and bastards.”

“My sister, you are doing well, allow those monkeys to continue to make unnecessary noises. They are born to be ungrateful people. Those animals tagging you, they are children of gorilla history told us about them. Kudos to you, Madam @abikedabiri. @Voiceofigbos see what my sister has done omo ale jatijati,” @akerele_s posted.

In apparent approval of @akerele_s’ toxic post, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa reposted it with memes of laughter, sparking reactions, with many social media users berating her as a bigot and tribalist.

Sharing a screenshot of Mrs Dabiri-Erewa’s post, @MrEnugu1 said, “Abike is the grandmother of bigotry.”

Similarly, @OkeyKingsman said Mrs Dabiri-Erewa “will be the first minister of tribalism and bigotry in the history of Nigeria.”

Another X user, @nedusteve, said @abikedabiri is the “queen mother” of bigotry in Nigeria.

Some others said the NiDCOM boss’ approval of the post shows President Bola Tinubu’s government’s tolerance and support for making bigotry a state policy.

Activist Aisha Yesufu wrote, “Whenever you think this woman wouldn’t go lower, she finds a way of really digging in and finding a new low. The bigotry you have seen online has support from their leaders! What a despicable shame!”

An X user, @UcheNdubisi11, said, “I don’t think people really understand the full picture of what is going on here. She is not saying or posting these hate comments out of some sort of personal bad behaviour, absolutely not the case.

“What is unfolding before us all is a full-blown policy stance and acceptance of xenophobia. Tinubu and his cohorts have realized that without the machinations of tribal hate, he couldn’t be anything politically; therefore, xenophobia/tribal hate has become a yielding weapon!”

Another user, @achieverwealth, said, “I have seen people go low and some even lower, but this woman @abikedabiri, she is beyond gutters in her bigotry. In fact, she is below the sea level. In a saner clime, she ought to have been sacked by now and placed under investigation with a touch of psychological test.”

@faroukpseudonym said, “The bigotry you see Ronu Rascals displaying on X is proudly sponsored by senior government officials. A child whose father sends to steal kicks the door in with reckless abandon.”