Nigeria’s House of Representatives has submitted a petition to the Canadian High Commissioner in Abuja, calling for immediate action against Ms. Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian living in Canada. Sunnberger is accused of making inflammatory statements that incite violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria, including threats of mass genocide through food and water poisoning.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), posted a photo of Sunnberger on social media, noting that she has deleted her TikTok account and that Nigerians in Canada are reporting her to the relevant authorities.
The petition, addressed to His Excellency James Christoff, High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, was signed by Hon. Biodun Omoleye, Chairman of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Hon. Tochukwu Chinedu Okere, Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Matters. The lawmakers expressed grave concern about Sunnberger’s statements, which they argue not only threaten lives but also breach multiple laws in Canada and Ontario.
The petition requests the Canadian government to:
- Conduct a thorough investigation into Sunnberger’s actions.
- Prosecute her under the applicable sections of the Criminal Code of Canada.
- Publicly condemn her statements.
- Collaborate with Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential violence escalation.
In a related development, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has distanced itself from the woman who made the threatening statements. The organization stated there is no evidence to prove that the woman is Igbo and condemned her actions as contrary to Igbo values of thoughtfulness and stability. Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, emphasized that such behavior is not representative of the Igbo community and should be disregarded as the work of a disturbed individual.