A South African group, the Progressive Forces, has launched a petition against Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina, aiming to disqualify her from the upcoming international Miss Universe pageant.
Adetshina, along with her Mozambican-born mother, faces potential criminal charges linked to alleged identity theft, which has prompted the group to question her legitimacy as a candidate.
On Tuesday, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs announced plans to revoke Adetshina and her mother’s South African identity and travel documents, citing insufficient evidence to support the legitimacy of their paperwork.
However, Adetshina swiftly bypassed this hurdle, traveling to Mexico on a Nigerian passport the following day to represent Nigeria in the November pageant.
The Progressive Forces, deeply concerned by Adetshina’s participation, initiated a petition on Wednesday that rapidly gained traction, gathering over 500 signatures within 24 hours. In an open appeal to the Miss Universe organisation, they urged it to reconsider Adetshina’s eligibility, expressing concerns about the potential impact on the pageant’s reputation.
“As Progressive Forces of South Africa, we are writing this letter on behalf of everyone who stands for justice to plead with you Miss Universe as an organisation to reconsider the contestant Miss Nigeria Universe and, if possible, to cancel her entry,” the petition stated.
The Progressive Forces highlighted the significance of the Miss Universe brand, which they describe as synonymous with “class, integrity, and fair competition.” They cautioned that allowing Adetshina to compete could tarnish the pageant’s esteemed image, emphasising that her involvement may bring Nigeria and Africa as a whole into disrepute.
The controversy isn’t new for Adetshina, who faced similar backlash during her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant. Public opposition and petitions eventually led her to withdraw from the Miss SA contest. Undeterred, she sought another avenue by representing her father’s homeland, Nigeria, where she ultimately secured the title of Miss Universe Nigeria.
As the Miss Universe pageant approaches, it remains uncertain how the organisation will respond to the Progressive Forces’ request. Meanwhile, Adetshina’s journey to the international stage is marked by both her resilience and the complex challenges surrounding her candidacy.
Melissa Enoch
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